Can Pinyonaire – Anna Santolaria

Stained glass

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ADDRESS:

Travesia Auriga, 5 – 17004 Gerona

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DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK

Anna Santolaria is an independent professional and founder of the workshop under the name of Can Pinyonaire. She works mostly on her own but she also collaborates with many national and international workshops, which has introduced her into a network of professionals with whom to associate with in the event of having to face larger projects. She masters many techniques – both current and traditional – among which it is worth mentioning: the painting of glass, enamelling, acid etching, serigraphy, glass gilding, the manufacture of mirrors…

Restoration

Her understanding of conservation is that ratified by the International Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi, implemented in many workshops around Europe, including England, Spain, France or Sweden. Each piece is studied individually and in depth. The historic research and the organoleptic testing are essential steps in order to carry out an adequate proposal for each stained glass window. Once the reason behind its bad state of conservation has been determined, the design which best adapts to the needs of each particular project is carried out, under the criteria both of minimal intervention and reversibility. Despite the fragmentary nature of stained glass windows, her proposals aim to re-establish the potential unity of the pieces, considering their double value – both aesthetic and historic – to ensure its most entire transmission thinking towards the future.

Even if it is essential to consider each case individually, in Can Pinyonaire they believe that isothermal protective glass is one of the most effective systems for the preservation of stained glass windows with a high risk of deterioration. This system is completely reversible and enables the historic stained glass windows to be maintained in their original architectural environment. The process is the following: the stained glass window is shifted towards the inside of the building, and then a protective glass is installed in the space where the stained glass window could be originally found. Between them, a ventilation chamber is created where air coming from the inside of the building circulates in a natural way. Moreover, it protects the stained glass windows from inclement conditions, as well as from one of the major causes of damage in stained glass windows: the condensation of water in its inner side.

Anna Santolaria not only carries out the practical manufacture of works, but also offers ad-hoc specific support in the creation of plans regarding intervention or documentation for external projects (diagrams, photographs, diagnose…).

Works of New Creation

They offer both the possibility of creating exact replicas of the existing stained glass windows and the possibility of recreating designs bearing in mind the architecture which will surround the piece or the stained glass windows.

They work using traditional techniques – such as leaded glass, painting glass or glass gilding. However, they combine them with more recent techniques – such as fussing or the use of resins.

APPRENTICESHIP

She has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts by the University of Barcelona. She has also received training in contemporary stained glass windows in the Fundación Centro del Vidrio in Barcelona. She holds a MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management by the University of York. She acquired technical experience in the J.M. Bonet Workshop (Barcelona), Barley Studios (Dunnington), York Glaziers Trust (York) and Domkyrka Stained Glass Conservation Studio (Uppsala).

Anna Santolaria received her training outside Spain regarding conservation of historic stained glass windows and management of heritage. Her studies in the University of York, as well as her professional experiences both in England and Sweden, have enabled her to learn how to implement the conservation criteria as recommended by the International Corpus Vitrearum (CVMA).

As an independent artist linked to conservation, Anna Santolaria has collaborated in several conservation projects, either with other stained glass workshops (Barley Studios, Uppsala Domkyrka Stained Glass Conservation Studio) or in spaces dedicated to conservation in museums and other specialized places.

TEACHING

Can Pinyonaire offers glass painting courses for groups of 8 to 10 people.

The workshop actively collaborates with the University of York and with the Worshipful Company of Glass Painters, training their students and award-winning people.

SELECTED WORKS

Restoration of the Flemish stained glass windows dating from the 16th century of the Lady Chapel within the Cathedral of Lichfield (United Kingdom). Works carried out at the Barley Studios workshop, York (United Kingdom).

Restoration of the stained glass windows of the Les Moreres Hall of Residence, Martorelles.

Restoration of the Son’s Window of the Cathedral of Uppsala. Works carried out at the Domkyrka Stained Glass Conservation Studio workshop (Sweden).

Manufacture of the stained glass elements designed by Richard Wright for the Gagosian Art Gallery, Rome (Italy). Works carried out at the York Glaziers Trust workshop, York (United Kingdom).

Restoration of the modern geometric stained glass window of the Monastery of Santes Creus, Tarragona.

Restoration of the East Window of the York Minster, York (United Kingdom). Works carried out at the York Glaziers Trust workshop, York (United Kingdom).

Creation of a set of stained glass windows for Les Vetes de Salt Hall of Residence, Girona.

Creation of the protective glass – painted and leaded – for The Son’s Window of the Cathedral of Uppsala. Work carried out from the workshop in Girona.

Restoration of the set of art nouveau stained glass windows of the school of Bruguera in Girona.

Restoration of the set of stained glass windows belonging to the Church of San Esteban de Bordils, Girona.