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Art Restoration and Conservation-an investment in the future of your art work.

Whether it be a newly acquired art work, an inherited piece of art, a sentimental keepsake or an investment in art, the question of correctly framing and preserving the piece is relevant. The above image (compliments of Art Reproductions UK) is a good example of how poor preservation destroys art work. The optimum solution is to frame the art work to high conservation standards. If your art work is damaged we have an extremely competent art restorer (with an intense interest in the provenance of the work.) Not only will she source replacement materials-paper, fabric, bark, etc-but in many cases will present the excited recipient of the newly restored item with a detailed history of the art work and its artist. There is considerable technology involved in art restoration. All effective art conservation and restoration ultimately depend upon the restorer's understanding of materials, technical craftsmanship, and aesthetic and historical awareness.

If you are not local to our Malvern location it would serve you well to know a little about the techniques of conservation framing or at least be able to ask sensible questions and from the answers, or lack there of, determine wether you would entrust your valuable or cherished work to the picture framer.

If your line of questioning is met with blank stares or mild irritation, or perhaps a condescending response, and you get the feeling “I should not have asked that question” may I suggest that you take your art work and your line of questioning to another establishment!!

In June 2010 the Professional Picture Framers’ Association held a conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre to discuss this subject.

It discussed the shortsightedness of investing in art while failing to acknowledge that proper conservation was the only way to preserve its looks and value. ”Delegates told horror stories of framers guaranteeing a short life for valuable art works by using glue, staples and buffered matt boards instead of more expensive but effective materials.”  As reported in The Age in June 2010.

If you are about to acquire or already own valuable or investment art, irreplaceable memorabilia, or posses art works already framed, it may well be worth your while having a professional framer examine it and advise on the quality of the framing.

Some of the key questions that should be asked before proceeding with framing should include questions regarding;

• Quality of the materials actually touching the art work, including the backing and the cardboard border (matting.) These materials should be acid free, with the matting and backing board of museum standards. To quote one of our suppliers, “Cotton rag mat board was designed specifically for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in the late 1920s. Today, virtually all museums and libraries rely on cotton rag mat board, often referred to as museum board.”  It is important to satisfy yourself that the framer is using the correct product for the artwork being framed

• The method by which the art work is attached to the aid free materials is also important. More valuable works should be suspended using acid free hinges.

• UV sunlight and to a lesser degree internal lighting is probably the greatest destroyer of artwork. You should avoid hanging valuable art in direct sunlight. It causes weakening and discoloration of paper fibers.  It also causes many dyes and pigments to fade or change in colour.  The damage from light is not reversible.  Faded pigments can not be put back and light burn will unevenly stain paper. We advise a high quality light filtration to avoid UV light damage to art. To quote our picture framing glass and Perspex supplier, “Tru Vue offers glazing solutions for every business, from basic images which may require premium clear glass, to the most valuable of artwork which would require the highest possible UV protection & clarity.”

You can read more about Art Restoration by following this link.

Product Code: Custfr3a