From Classic Cars to Contemporary Art: Innovative Restorations Helps Preserve a Unique Sculpture for Museum Exhibition

At Innovative Restorations, we are known for helping classic car enthusiasts bring their prized vehicles back to life through expert craftsmanship, precision refinishing, and attention to detail. Recently, our team had the opportunity to apply those same restoration skills to a very different project – an important piece of contemporary artwork.

Our very own Adam Bradley was invited to participate in a special gallery talk discussing the restoration of Geode, an abstract sculpture created by Latvian-American artist Olafs Zeidenbergs (1936–2006). The sculpture is currently featured in the exhibition Revelations: A Decade of Collecting, 2016–2026.

How the Project Began

The restoration project began when Carol Cheney, the artist’s former wife, sought out Innovative Restorations to help preserve the sculpture. Originally, Carol planned to install Geode in her personal garden and wanted to ensure the piece was properly restored before displaying it outdoors.

As the project progressed, an exciting opportunity emerged when the sculpture was accepted into the museum’s exhibition. This shifted the restoration’s purpose from a private installation to preparing an important work of art for public display, adding an extra level of responsibility and care to the process.

Restoring a One-of-a-Kind Sculpture

Created around 1968–1969, Geode was constructed using a combination of wire mesh, fiberglass, resin, and high-gloss epoxy finishes. After years of outdoor display and storage, the sculpture had sustained minor damage that required specialized repair techniques.

The museum and project organizers recognized that many of the skills used in high-end automotive restoration closely mirror those needed for preserving complex sculptures and artistic installations. Our team carefully repaired damaged areas, restored structural integrity, and refinished the sculpture to recreate its original deep, glossy appearance.

Matching the finish required the same level of precision often found in a classic car restoration or custom automotive paint project.

Sharing the Restoration Process with Museum Visitors

One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was participating in the gallery talk alongside Carol Cheney.

The discussion provided attendees with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the restoration process. Museum visitors often hear about restoring paintings and traditional artwork, but few have the opportunity to learn how specialists restore sculptures made from non-traditional materials such as fiberglass, resin, and composite structures.

To help explain the process, Adam brought physical samples demonstrating the various layers and materials used in the sculpture’s construction. Attendees were able to examine and handle these samples while learning about the challenges involved in repairing and refinishing the piece.

The intimate setting encouraged questions and conversation, allowing visitors to gain a deeper appreciation for both the artwork itself and the craftsmanship required to preserve it.

Precision Craftsmanship Beyond the Garage

Many people associate our work with classic cars, muscle cars, and vintage vehicle restoration. While those projects remain at the core of our business, Geode demonstrates how restoration techniques can extend far beyond the automotive world.

The same expertise used to repair fiberglass body panels, correct surface imperfections, fabricate custom components, and apply flawless paint finishes can also play a vital role in preserving historically significant artwork.

Projects like this showcase the versatility of our team and reinforce our commitment to craftsmanship, regardless of whether we’re restoring a collector vehicle or a museum-quality sculpture.

Preserving History in All Forms

Whether we’re restoring a rare classic automobile, helping enthusiasts preserve automotive history, or contributing to the preservation of an important piece of contemporary art, our mission remains the same: protecting and restoring objects that deserve to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Innovative Restorations is proud to have played a role in bringing Geode back to life and sharing that journey with museum visitors who were eager to learn about a restoration process they rarely get the opportunity to see firsthand.