The Restoration of Works of Art: History, Education, Contemporary Practices and Strategies

Special Issue of the Scientific Journal “HUDPROM: The Ukrainian Art and Design Journal”, XXVIII (2) 2026

About the Journal

Dear Colleagues!

In the second half of 2026, we plan to publish a special issue of the scientific journal “HUDPROM: The Ukrainian Art and Design Journal”, dedicated to the restoration of works of art.

A modern art restorer is a specialist whose professional activity lies at the intersection of various disciplines. They must possess profound knowledge of contemporary and historical restoration methods and techniques, materials science, and technologies, while being well-versed in art history and able to apply research methodologies in practice and interpret the obtained results. The extremely important and often behind-the-scenes work of art restorers requires comprehensive coverage and promotion.

The growing relevance of restoration activities in Ukraine is largely driven by the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Cultural heritage objects have suffered extensive damage, which has significantly intensified restoration efforts. Despite the ongoing hostilities, restoration and conservation work, including preventive measures, the evacuation and transportation of monuments, as well as the professional training of restorers, continue in Ukraine. It is Ukrainian specialists who will shape the strategies for restoring cultural heritage in the post-war period.

This period of wartime challenges also coincided with a significant milestone — the 30th anniversary of the Department of Restoration and Expertise of Works of Art at KSADA, marked by an international conference. This special issue aims to demonstrate the dynamics of restoration development in Ukraine, document war-related losses, outline strategies for the recovery of monuments in the post-war period, and define the prospects for restoration education and scientific research.

We invite authors to submit manuscripts dedicated to the preservation, research, and restoration of works of art. Submissions may cover the following topics:

• history of the establishment and development of restoration in Ukraine and worldwide;
• key figures in the history of restoration and restoration education;
• restoration education in Ukraine and abroad;
• innovations in restoration practice;
• practical restoration of works of art;
• preventive conservation and preservation;
• research and attribution of works of art;
• evacuation of works of art: strategies and challenges;
• strategies for the development of restoration and cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine;
• post-war monument recovery strategies.

Reviews of books, catalogues, and textbooks published within the last three years on the specified topics, as well as academically prepared interviews and memoirs of prominent restorers and museum professionals, are also accepted.

Please send articles, reviews, and visual materials to the Guest Editor of this issue, Viacheslav SHULIKA, PhD in Art History, Associate Professor, and Head of the Department of Restoration and Expertise of Works of Art (shulikavv@ukr.net), and to the “HUDPROM” editorial office (editorksada@gmail.com). The journal is included in the List of professional academic publications of Ukraine, Category “B”, specialties B2 (Design) and B4 (Fine Arts and Restoration).

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The issue is scheduled for publication in November–December 2026. Articles will be published on the journal’s website as they are reviewed and edited.

All submissions must comply with the established requirements and will undergo double-blind peer review.

Submission requirements: https://hudprom.org.ua/index.php/hp/about/submissions

Sincerely,

Viacheslav SHULIKA, Guest Editor of the Issue

Eugeny KOTLYAR, Editor-in-Chief of the “HUDPROM” Journal