Staff Favorite: Kirk Hoffman on Christopher Patch’s “Migration”

July 2, 2020

Written by Kirk Hoffman, Lead Preparator at the PMA

Christopher Patch (United States, born 1974) , Migration (detail), 2015, papier-mâché and collaged papers, dimensions variable. Museum purchase with support from the Friends of the Collection, 2015.17a-kk. © Christopher Patch.
Christopher Patch (United States, born 1974) , Migration (detail), 2015, papier-mâché and collaged papers, dimensions variable. Museum purchase with support from the Friends of the Collection, 2015.17a-kk. © Christopher Patch.

As a preparator, I have the opportunity to work directly with artwork, addressing the physical issues that our collections present, including the care, movement, and storage of each piece. I love the problem-solving involved with some of our larger works, such as Migration, the installation of 37 papier-mâché birds that bridges the space between our third and fourth floor. Every time I walk by this stunning piece, I’m reminded of Chris Patch, the artist and former PMA employee who hired me. At the same time, I look forward to the challenge (hopefully not anytime soon) of removing it from view. Each one of the delicate birds will require scaffolding to remove it from the ceiling, careful support as it travels down to our lab, custom housing for long-term storage, and space in our vaults. It sounds like a lot of work, but it is an exciting part of my job.

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