VENIS STUDIOS - Art & Antiquities Conservation & Restoration - Dubai-UAE / Greece / Istanbul
Senior Expertise in Historic Paintings, Cultural Heritage, Museum Collections and Private Art Collections Worldwide.
30+ Years of International Conservation and Restoration Expertise
UAE / GREECE / TURKEY
VENIS STUDIOS is an international art conservation and restoration consultancy founded and directed by Senior Expert Conservators with more than 30 years of professional experience.
In 2012, Venizelos G. Gavrilakis and Vaia A. Karagianni, Senior Experts Art Conservator and Restorer, with over 30 years of distinguished international experience, founded Ieri Parakatathiki Labs in Greece. Their laboratory quickly earned its reputation for art conservation and restoration of medieval paintings, Byzantine icons, and cultural artifacts in Greece and Turkey.
In 2020, they expanded their vision by establishing VENIS STUDIOS, an international art and antiquities conservation and restoration consultancy company based in Dubai, Istanbul and Thessaloniki, serving the UAE the Middle East, Istanbul, Europe and USA. VENIS STUDIOS combines more than three decades of practical experience in the art conservation and restoration and delivers museum-grade level conservation and restoration of historic paintings, panel paintings, sacred art, archaeological objects and cultural heritage collections.
Upholding international standards of UNESCO, ECCO, IIC, AIC and CCI, VENIS STUDIOS ensures each piece receives the highest level of care, delivered by senior professional conservators and restorers with more than three decades of experience in the field.
With over 30 years of international experience, VENIS STUDIOS provides expert conservation and restoration services for museums, cultural institutions, private collections and high-value artworks worldwide.
Conservation planning
Treatment proposals
Collection surveys
Preventive conservation strategies
Laboratory consultancy
Confidential artwork assessment
Confidential conservation and restoration consultancy
Condition reports
Conservation and Restoration supervision
Acquisition technical advice
Collection care planning
Authentication and Chemical Analisis for High value and Blue Chip Artworks in collaboration with estimates and recognise institutions
Trusted by museums, cultural institutions, private collectors and international partners across Europe, the Middle East and the United States:
· Historic, Medieval & Renaissance paintings
· Byzantine, post-Byzantine and Ottoman religious heritage
· Modern & Contemporary Art Works & Paintings
· Historical object
· Archaeological object Conservation & Restoration
VENIS STUDIOS bridges the Science and Art of Conservation & Restoration. We reveal each artwork’s authenticity, artistry, and historical significance, ensuring that cultural identity and artistic legacy endure for future generations.
International Expertise - Scientific Precision - Proven Conservation Excellence
With professional experience in Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and the United States, VENIS STUDIOS understands diverse artistic traditions, materials, techniques and conservation and restoration challenges.
Experience with historic paintings, panel paintings, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine icons, modern and contemporary artworks, archaeological objects and cultural heritage collections.
International Standards of UNESCO, ECCO , IIC, AIC and CCI
Treatments based on scientific examination, documentation, ethical principles and respect for authenticity.
Every project follows internationally recognised conservation and restoration principles, focusing on:
Scientific Examination
Documentation
Minimal Intervention
Respect for Authenticity
Long-Term Preservation
Providing:
Artwork Assessment
Condition Reports
Conservation Planning
Restoration Supervision
Collection Care Advice
Authentication and Chemical Analisis for High value and Blue Chip Artworks in collaboration with estimates and recognise institutions
Our experience includes collaborations with museums, cultural institutions, religious heritage organisations, galleries and private collections across Europe, the Middle East and the USA.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople – Istanbul, Turkey
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – New York, USA
Numerous Metropolises - Istanbul/Greece
Several Greek Monasteries in Mt.Athos - Greece
Museum of Byzantine Culture - Thessaloniki, Greece
MOMus – Museum of Modern Art, Thessaloniki – Thessaloniki, Greece
Historical and Ethnographical Museum of the Cappadocian Greeks - Nea Karvali, Greece
Dubai Culture & Arts Authority – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Maraya Art Center - Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Private Prestigius Art Galleries - Dubai/Istanbul/Greece
Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University – Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul University – Istanbul, Turkey
Zografeion Lykeion – Istanbul, Turkey
Sismanoglio Megaro / Consulate General of Greece – Istanbul, Turkey
International - Heritage Istanbul (2021, 2023, 2024 Conferences) – Istanbul, Turkey
International - Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" / NARATE Project (Erasmus+) – Sofia, Bulgaria
Professional Training Center of the Archdiocese of Thessaloniki for Art Preservation Teaching Program- Thessaloniki, Greece
Art Conservation and Restoration Teaching Project at the Theological School of Halki – with students from the École d’Art d’Avignon Art University - Istanbul, Turkey
Estimates Institution Art conservation, Restoration and Preservation Courses & Teaching - Greece/Istanbul
Expert conservation and restoration of easel paintings, panel paintings, and icons, including Medieval, Renaissance, Byzantine, and post-Byzantine works, Modern and Contemporary art. Treatment follows internationally recognized museum standards, with rigorous respect for authenticity, historical integrity, and the artist’s original intent, ensuring each work is preserved and ethically reintegrated for future generations.
Professional conservation and restoration of modern and contemporary artworks, encompassing paintings, sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces. Each treatment is guided by rigorous material analysis, preventive conservation strategies, and minimal intervention principles to preserve the artist’s original intent, aesthetic impact, and long-term integrity. VENIS STUDIOS ensures that every artwork is treated with the highest standards of scientific precision and ethical care, safeguarding its cultural and artistic significance for future generations.
Professional conservation and restoration of historical objects, and historically significant artifacts. Each intervention is based on material science analysis, preventive conservation and restoration principles, and minimal intervention ethics to safeguard both artistic integrity and historical value.
Conservation and restoration of excavated artifacts and cultural materials from ancient civilizations. Employing scientific examination, stabilization, and scientific conservation and restoration treatments we ensure the preservation of archaeological heritage for research, exhibition, and future generations.
Pablo Picasso "La Torada" - 1914
VENIS STUDIOS proudly presents the meticulous conservation and restoration of an original Pablo Picasso painting (1914), executed in mixed media on wood, undertaken by expert senior conservators and restorers, Venizelos G. Gavrilakis and Vaia A. Karagianni. The wood panel had suffered structural damage, while the painting surface was severely affected by insect infestation, including eggs, as well as previous amateur cleanings that had compromised parts of the original composition. Our team performed museum-grade, precision cleaning, careful removal of insects and residues, structural consolidation of the wood, and professional retouching, restoring the artwork while fully preserving the authenticity and integrity of Picasso’s original vision. This project exemplifies VENIS STUDIOS’ unwavering commitment to the highest standards of art and antiquities conservation and restoration, ensuring that historic masterpieces are safeguarded for future generations.
VENIS STUDIOS has successfully completed the expert conservation of a rare Fayum mummy portrait dating back to the 2nd century AD. This specialized case involved the careful consolidation of fragmented and fragile wooden support, along with a meticulous cleaning of the delicate painted surface. Drawing on his extensive years of experience, Venizelos G. Gavrilakis implemented museum-grade advanced conservation techniques to preserve this invaluable piece of ancient Egyptian cultural heritage, ensuring its structural stability and visual clarity for future generations.
Witness this unique conservation and restoration challenge, where VENIS STUDIOS revived a severely damaged and exfoliated masterpiece, conserving and restoring its historical and artistic integrity.
VENIS STUDIOS experts Venizelos G. Gavrilakis and Vaia A. Karagianni undertook the complex conservation and restoration of a severely damaged and exfoliated 19th-century painted icon/door. Prior to intervention, the artwork was considered irrecoverable due to extensive detachment, structural instability, and surface degradation accumulated over decades.
Over a meticulous seven-month project, the team applied advanced scientific methodologies, combining preventive conservation principles, precise consolidation techniques, and ethical restoration practices. Their work included stabilization of the wooden support, reintegration of delaminated paint layers, and careful preservation of original pigments and gilding.
Through their expertise, VENIS STUDIOS successfully rescued this invaluable cultural artifact, restoring structural integrity, visual cohesion, and historical authenticity. This project stands as a testament to the Studio’s commitment to museum-grade conservation and restoration, bridging the science and art of restoration for future generations
Ivan Aivazovsky
19th-Century Oil Painting
Meticulous cleaning and varnish removal revealed authentic colors and design. Precise repairs preserved the artist’s marine masterpiece with museum-grade techniques.
Pablo Picasso “La Torada,” 1914
Expert conservation and restoration treated insect infestation and structural damage on this wooden panel. Wood disinfection and precise repairs preserved the artwork’s integrity using museum-grade techniques.
2001 Michael Garoudis Mixed-Media Painting
Conservation and restoration precisely treated burn damage, stabilizing and preserving the mixed-media painting’s original character.
14th-Century Byzantine Icon "Panagia Eleoussa" with 16th-Century "The Descent to Hades" Double Side Icon
A rare case of conservation and restoration treatments, uncovering both the 14th-century image and 16th-century reverse—discovered by VENIS STUDIOS. This double-sided icon was presented at international conferences and publications.
20th-Century Copper Engraving Painting Hotel "El Greco"
Restoration of a damaged, oxidized copper engraving from Hotel "El Greco," Thessaloniki, Greece. Cleaning and stabilization preserved the artwork with museum-grade techniques.
17th-Century Post-Byzantine Gilded and Egg Tempera Painted Wood Cross
Meticulus Conservation and restoration treated oxidized varnish, repaints, missing parts, wood deterioration, and painting. Wood consolidation and disinfection preserved this carved masterpiece using museum-grade methods.
19th-Century Coffee Table with Mother-of-Pearl, Ivory, and Ebony
Conservation and restoration addressed missing parts and surface damage, carefully reconstructing and stabilizing this intricate decorative furniture piece using traditional and museum-grade techniques.
18th-19th-Century Flintlock Pistol
Conservation and restoration addressed oxidized iron and bronze components, repairing breaks and reconstructing missing wooden parts to preserve this historical firearm with museum-grade techniques.
19th-Century "Limoge" Porcelain Decorative Plate
Conservation and restoration expertly reassembled multiple broken pieces, stabilizing and preserving this delicate decorative porcelain plate with museum-grade materials and techniques.
c. 3500 B.C. Mesopotamian Antique Vase
Conservation and restoration addressed broken parts and performed desalination to remove salt deposits, carefully stabilizing and preserving this rare artifact found in UAE deserts using advanced museum-grade methods.
c. 3000 B.C. Bronze Bowl
Meticulous cleaning, stabilization, and expert reassembly were performed using museum-grade conservation and restoration techniques. This unique artifact found in UAE deserts was precisely preserved.
c. 3500 B.C. Iron Sword
Meticulous cleaning and stabilization treated oxidation and reassembled eight broken pieces of this ancient sword found in UAE deserts, using museum-grade conservation and restoration techniques to ensure precise preservation.
