 |
Browse |
 |
|
|
Off The Wall |
|
|
|
newsletter |
|
|
Sign up to our newsletter
Email Address
|
|
|
|
|
Info off The Wall |
|
|
|
Latest Exhibitions |
|
|
|
| Looking After your Art |
 |
|
|
Looking after your artwork
You have just invested in valuable artwork from Off the Wall. Ensuring that it is properly hung in the most suitable environment will help you derive maximum enjoyment from the work over the longest period. Below we offer some gentle words of wisdom on how best to protect your investment. If there is anything you would like to know that is not covered here, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Handling
It is important not to touch the print directly as oils from your hands can damage the artwork and compromise your investment. When handling your artwork please use clean cotton gloves, readily available from any art store.
Storage
To ensure their integrity and your investment, it is vital that these prints are not stored in their packaging long-term, and should be moved to a low-light and acid-free environment as soon as possible.
Hanging
Ensuring your artwork hangs in the best possible conditions will enable you to get the best out of your artwork over the longest period. It is important to follow the simple procedures listed below to ensure all artworks remain well preserved.
It is also important to be aware of certain hanging conditions. You may wish to hang a work of art in a bathroom or over a fireplace for example. Both of these examples would be completely unsuitable if the work was to be conserved over a long period.
Lighting
Works on paper, photographic and textile works are particularly vulnerable to natural light’s adverse effects known as ‘UV rays’. Too much direct light can lead to changes in print texture and lead to discoloration. It is important to strike a balance between the benefits of light for viewing your artwork and the potential dangers. In order to avoid damage to your artwork as described above, it is possible to get glass or plexi-glass that contains UV filters. Whilst this will reduce the risk of damage, it is not 100% fool- proof. It is therefore important you always assess the position of the artwork.
Artificial light can also be harmful, especially halogen lights and direct spotlights. Lights hung near to the top of the frame can heat the work and cause discoloration and rippling. We recommend that artificial lights that be kept at an absolute minimum distance of 12”/30cm from any print, painting or textile surface.
Humidity
Works on paper and photographic prints can be adversely affected by overly humid conditions. Potentially this can cause an uneven print surface and discoloration. In view of this, we do not recommend bathrooms for hanging prints. It is also important to avoid places where accidental liquid spillage is possible, for example near a kitchen work surface.
Heat
Intense heat can affect both the colour and texture of artworks, so make sure you do not display your prints in close proximity to any heated surfaces such as radiators, placed in direct sunlight or hung over fire places.
Mount board / Matt board
Paper and photographic prints are sensitive to acidity levels present in non-professional framing materials. This especially applies to mount board, which should have low acidity levels or be acid free. Ask your framer for the best advice on acid free framing mount materials.
Adhesives
Never use standard sticky tape, blu-tack or regular masking tape for holding your print in place. These will deteriorate with age, may leave sticky marks on your artwork or damage it when removed and have high levels of acidity, which will adversely affect the quality of your print in time. Acid free framing tapes are widely available and should be used by your chosen framer.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Telephone 029 20554469
Email art@galleryoffthewall.com
|
|
|
|
|
