The Museo de Antioquia, in a collaborative agreement with the City Council of Medellin, is in the process of restoring and conserving 27 sculptures by Colombian master Fernando Botero. The works in question are located in two places of the city: 23 of them at Parque San Antonio and 1 at Parque Berrío. The renovation works are expected to conclude by December 31 of this year.
According to María Adelaida Bohórquez, Restorer at the Museo de Antioquia, "The restoration begins with an initial wash using neutral soaps. Then the patina—the layer that protects the sculptures—is removed with the use of fine grit sandpaper in order to prepare the bronze surface. Then a new patina is applied and, lastly, a coat of wax is also applied to protect the sculpture."
The entire process would approximately take three day to complete the restoration of each sculpture. Two more days are required to restore each of the pedestals that support the sculptures.
The restoration of all the sculptures will be complemented with educational activities scheduled by the Museum at Plaza Botero. Likewise, the story of these sculptures in the city will be discussed through the Museum's homepage and through social media, as visitors will also be informed of the ways in which they too can participate in the conservation effort.