MA Conservation of Wall Paintings at the Courtauld

Aim

Please help me seize this unique opportunity to learn to conserve precious wall paintings worldwide, including frescos and cave art.

About me

I am a writer-artist and researcher, hoping to build a meaningful career path which is grounded in materiality, place, aesthetics, and deep thinking. After a period of contemplation, driven by a lifelong love of cave art, Christian frescoes, and Buddhist wall paintings, I have been offered a place on the MA Conservation of Wall Paintings at the Courtauld Institute of Art between 2026 - 2029. This is a three year full-time practical MA program, accepting 6 students every other year, and a direct gateway into the conservation profession.

'Lunaria', cross-stitch embroidery by Pearl Jackson-Payen, 2026, inspired by wall painting of 'Death, or Time' at the church of St Issui, Black Mountains.

Background

Between 2022 and 2023, I undertook the MA in Buddhist Art: History & Conservation at the Courtauld. I was initially drawn to the program because of a personal commitment to religious art and living heritage. My MA research focused primarily upon the region of the Anglo-Welsh border known colloquially as ‘Little Tibet,’ as well as the numinous hand-sewn robes worn by local Kagyu lamas. Over the course of the year I made repeated site visits to the region, photographed shrines, garments, and landscapes, and carried out interviews with local experts and practitioners (www.pearljacksonpayen.com/little-tibet/).

Buddhist Art MA research trip, Sri Lanka, 2023.

Since leaving the Courtauld, I have taken some time to contemplate my next step, whilst continuing to work as an editor, writer, and artist. Last summer, whilst staying in the Dordogne region of France, I visited the Lascaux IV paintings, and was deeply affected by their mysterious beauty. Afterwards, I began looking into Jean Clotte’s research on the potential shamanic origins of cave art. I was also lucky to visit the Greek wall paintings in the monasteries and nunneries of Hydra and Poros in June, to talk to the nuns, and to examine their paintings up close. I learnt that the nuns in Hydra saved their paintings from wild fires several years ago using wet towels, whilst hiding under the altar. Formative experiences of the frescoes of Fra Angelico, Piero della Francesca, and Giotto also provided a sense of art as vocation and helped shape my passion for the subject matter.

This year, I have focused on developing my MA research for publication, and currently have two papers forthcoming in academic journals. I also have assisted a Courtauld colleague in getting his MA thesis published as a book, acting as his editor, and created a hand-sewn embroidery inspired by a local wall painting at the Welsh church of St. Issui (www.pearljacksonpayen.com/museum-of-prophecies/), a site that I researched for my MA thesis.

Buddhist Art MA research trip, Sri Lanka, 2023.

Career plans

While my prior MA introduced theoretical conservation and heritage contexts, I have not yet undergone the sustained practical training required to work professionally. Achieving financial support at this time would enable me to develop the specialist skillset (including materials, pigmentation, retouching, and cleaning techniques) to enter the conservation profession, building upon my academic and artistic foundation.

As a practitioner from a low-income background, I see this career path as rare and precious. I am excited to build a meaningful career path which is grounded in materiality, place, aesthetics, and deep thinking.

After graduation, I plan to develop my portfolio and transition into professional practice. It is my intention to start my own business, and work on a contract basis, travelling to work on significant sites.

Throughout my training, I also plan to update my website with fieldwork and research: www.pearljacksonpayen.com/2025-fieldwork/

On Fieldwork with Buddhist calligraphy artist Tashi Mannox, 2023.

Funds raised so far

Throughout my education, I have received grants for low income students, the maximum loan from Student Finance England, and also relied on a student overdraft, which I am still in the process of repaying.

The Courtauld have awarded me a tuition fee scholarship for the full three years, and I have applied for a range of scholarships to help fund my living costs. However, these are highly competitive, and typically range from £500 - £3500. Unfortunately, they do not reflect the reality of the cost of living in London, which will cost roughly £17,000 per year. Students on this program are also not eligible for the postgraduate government loan, as it is a three year MA.

I have set up an ISA with the ethical bank Triodos, where funds will be ring-fenced towards my living costs during the program.

Please note: Crowdfunder gives people the option to give them a 'tip' with donations, you can manually change that to 0 if you wish.

Reference from Tashi Mannox (https://tashimannox.com/):

I am an internationally professional lecturer and artist of Dharma art and Tibetan calligraphy, based on the English Welsh border near Hay-on-Wye.

I have known Pearl Jackson-Payen for several years. I have enjoyed seeing Pearl grow and develop as a Buddhist and artist, especially through her intuitive tapestry work, which is imbued with Buddhist iconography, and inspired by Tibetan Thangka painting. She is particularly skilled in creative writing, with a keen interest in Buddhist literature.

In this day and age of distraction, it is encouraging to see such young talent emerge with such grounded certainty.

On Fieldwork with Buddhist calligraphy artist Tashi Mannox, 2023.

The Courtauld

The Courtauld Institute of Art works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally-renowned centre for the teaching, research and enjoyment of art history.

Ranked as the number one institution in the world for the study of History of Art in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, published on March 25, 2026, The Courtauld is located in the heart of London with its own institute and gallery. In fact, The Courtauld Gallery has one of the greatest art collections in the UK, with iconic works such as Van Gogh’s “Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s “A Bar at the Folies-Bergere”.

Personal images taken on fieldwork over recent years, in Greece, Iceland, and France (see www.pearljacksonpayen.com/2025-fieldwork/ for more)

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th June 2026 at 2:04pm