Author: Georgia Powell
Published: 28 Jul 2022
CURA Art is invested in the care and management of a wide variety of collections and materials, encouraging responsible collecting in the process.
While is it impossible to avoid all risk associated with damage, implementing some small changes can make a big impact on the longevity of your collection. While we always advise to contact us with specific questions regarding the preservation of works of art and antiquities, we have created a brief guide with some helpful tips in order to help preserve the legacy of your collection for the future.
Light
Light is one of the leading factors that causes damage to collections. Works on paper, paintings, books, plastics and textiles are some examples of materials most susceptible to light damage. Some guidelines to consider:
- Keep objects out of natural light when possible; UV rays are very damaging and should be blocked. Remediate by using films on windows, curtains, as well as UV-filtering glazing when framing.
- Indoor artificial light should be LED, not halogen.
- When exhibiting light sensitive materials, rotate every 3 months if possible, even
after taking the necessary precautions to block UV light.
Temperature & Relative Humidity
There are small ways to make a large impact on the preservation of your collection through monitoring temperature and relative humidity.
- Keep objects in a stable environment and avoid storing in uncontrolled temperature or humidity. Attics and basements tend to experience temperature extremes, poor air flow, and moisture issues, therefore, are not ideal for storage or display. Choosing an appropriate location to house objects will reduce the risks of pests, mold and deterioration.
- Place works in rooms with minimal moisture in the air, for example, bathrooms are not the ideal place to display paintings or works on paper.
Storage/Packing Materials
The correct housing and archival materials can provide structural support, protect objects from tears, breaks, distortion, as well as reduce damage from airborne pollutants.
- In general, keep handling to a minimum.
- Most objects and precious materials can be stored in acid-free ph neutral tissue and archival boxes or enclosers. Sensitive materials such as photographs can be stored in Mylar sleeves, an archival grade polyester best suited for long-term storage and/or presentation.
- Avoid placing tape or other packing materials directly on the object. Instead use a barrier layer such as tissue, glassine, Polyethylene sheeting or Tyvek, depending on the material.
- Only use bubble wrap if the work of art is covered by something else first; bubbles always should face out.
- You may notice little packs of Silica Gel that come with some of the items you purchase. These can be great to save and use when storing textiles!
Documentation & Cataloguing
Documentation and keeping track of an object’s provenance and condition is crucial in the long-term preservation of your collection. Whether we are creating large databases or simply producing a list, it is important to keep track of all records for each object such as provenance details, condition reports along with visual documentation.
Display
Do not hang artwork above fireplaces or radiators if possible as the heat and soot can be damaging. If necessary, choose materials that are least susceptible to heat damage such as metal or stone. Finally, professional framing is a great way to protect works of art, especially when displayed in heavily trafficked areas.
Please contact us for all display and collections management solutions!