How to Properly Handle and Store Art for Preservation
By Cora Quiroz
During the last year, I began working as an Art Handler, which Google defines as, “- a trained individual who works directly with objects in museums, art galleries… private collections” and so on. I've worked in gallery settings with non-profits for five years, and I have worked with many types of art from local artists to blue-chip artists. I have seen art handled, or as I like to say ‘wrangled’ poorly, put into devastating conditions that threaten its well-being, transported and stored in poor conditions, and so on.
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Artworks, whether they are masterpieces for sale or cherished personal creations, often hold significant value beyond just their aesthetic appeal. Properly handling and storing art is crucial to preserving its beauty and ensuring its longevity. Whether you're an art collector, an art enthusiast, or an artist yourself, following best practices for handling and storing art can safeguard it for future generations to enjoy. This article will explore my essential tips and guidelines for preserving art.
Artworks are often delicate and sensitive to their environment. Factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and physical handling can all affect their condition over time and are important. Understanding the vulnerabilities of different types of art is essential for implementing effective preservation strategies.
Handling Art with Care
● Always handle artwork with clean hands to prevent transferring oils, dirt, or other contaminants onto the surface.
● Use gloves made of cotton or nitrile when handling delicate artwork to avoid direct contact with the surface.
● Support the artwork from underneath or along the edges to prevent bending or warping.
● Never touch the surface of paintings, prints, or photographs with bare hands, as oils and moisture can corrode the surface over time.
● Use caution when transporting or moving art to avoid accidents or mishandling.
Protecting Art from Light
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● Exposure to sunlight and artificial light can cause fading and deterioration of colors in paintings, prints, and photographs.
● Display artworks away from windows or direct sunlight, and use UV-filtering glass or acrylic to protect them from harmful UV rays.
● Limit the duration of exhibitions or displays to reduce prolonged exposure to light.
Controlling Temperature and Humidity:
● Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause expansion and contraction of materials, leading to warping, cracking, or mold growth.
● Maintain a stable environment with moderate temperature (ideally between 65-75°F or 18-24°C) and relative humidity (around 40-60%).
● Use climate-control systems or humidifiers to regulate humidity levels, especially in storage areas.
Proper Framing and Mounting
● Be sure to choose archival-quality materials for framing, including acid-free mat boards, backing boards, and mounting materials.
● Ensure that artworks are properly mounted and framed to prevent shifting, sagging, or damage over time.
● Use spacers or mat boards to create a buffer between the artwork and the glass to allow for air circulation and prevent condensation.
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Storage Guidelines
With a few different materials, you can ensure that whatever you are packing can be archived safely. To begin, having all acid-free materials is crucial. If you are packing and storing several items regularly, ULINE is a great company to use, if you plan to buy in bulk. Otherwise, many of the materials can be found at craft and hardware stores. A few recommended materials to have on hand include: Brown craft paper, sheets of board, thicker plastic, glassine, tyvek, blue tape, packing tape, foam, bubble or a cotton strap.
Tip: Make sure to store artwork in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated environment away from moisture, heat, or dust. Use acid-free archival boxes, acid-free tape, acid and oil-free plastic, folders, or portfolios for storing paper-based artworks such as drawings, prints, and photographs. Paintings, sculptures, and other three-dimensional artworks can be stored in sturdy, padded cardboard slipcases or crates to protect them from damage during transportation or storage.
Key Points to Remember
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Two-dimensional artworks (whether framed, flat, or canvas) should be stored back to back and face to face with a divider between faces for added protection. For most 2-D paintings on canvas that have no texture nor fragile surfaces, a basic plastic wrapping is sufficient. For fragile surfaces without texture, you can use glassine or Tyvek to create a layer of protection on the surface of the painting.
When putting a layer on the surface, make sure to use blue tape to secure the layer to the work. For paintings that are framed with glass, just using plastic is sufficient, but keep in mind that if the piece is ‘hinged’, or contains artwork that is adhered to the board and not kept behind a matte, it is important to keep that piece in its orientation. For 2-D artwork with a lot of texture or fragile surfaces that absolutely cannot touch anything, your best option is to create a cardboard shadow box with a plastic cover. It is also important to ensure that the corners of 2-D pieces are never pressed into adjacent works. Arrange them in a manner where each piece extends beyond the frame or stretcher bars, or matches the size of the previous piece.
Three-dimensional artworks can require a much more complicated storage process, as you must take into account what surfaces can be touched to what extent, and when to choose each material. Without focusing on the surface, it is usually best to use a cotton strap to tie down the base of the sculpture by cutting slits into a cardboard box and threading the strap though non-sensitive areas of the sculpture. Sometimes no materials should touch surfaces, and this provides a way to handle the sculpture, by touching the box rather than the work.
In most long-term storage, it might be necessary to create a box for the work. It is important to identify artworks requiring special care, especially those with fragile surfaces, and consider using a shadow box for storage or transportation to prevent any contact with the delicate surface. After a piece is wrapped in plastic if it is not a shadow box, create a custom-sized box that fits the artwork. Mark the face and orientation (especially if it is ‘hinged’ and to help guide yourself or someone else open the box. For a shadow box, you can create a lid to the box.
Finally, do not forget to prioritize the use of archival and non-acidic materials for framing, mounting, slipcases, shadow boxes, and storage to maintain the integrity of the artworks over time. Minimize the movement of art whenever possible to reduce the risk of damage during handling, transportation, and shipping.
Preserving art requires careful handling, proper storage, and environmental control. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your precious artworks remain in pristine condition for years to come. Whether it's a family heirloom, a museum masterpiece, or a personal creation, every piece of art deserves to be cherished and protected for future generations to appreciate. As artists, we can also preserve our value with these ways to preserve 2 dimensional art. Let's commit to preserving the beauty of art for the enjoyment of all. Best of luck!
Edited by Lea Byrnes on October 12, 2024
