How to Preserve Your Art Collection Like an Expert
Contents:
Plastic leads to mold, fading of colors in the sun and other things you need to know before storing art.
Did you know that packing art in a storage shed can lead to mold?
We spoke with AXIS Fine Art Installation President and Art Preservation Expert Derek Smith. He told us the embarrassing story of a client who wrapped a painting in Saran for storage, inadvertently trapping moisture inside and allowing mildew to damage the painting.
There are a lot of risks when storing works of art. While it's nerve-wracking, if you know what you're doing, you can save on monthly expenses by putting together storage space at home. Even if you work with consultants or with a warehouse, it's good to know what you're looking for.
Prepare an environment appropriate for the condition of the artwork.
AXIS has its own art repository and also advises clients on how to set up an art repository at home. Combined with years of experience, Smith has a unique understanding of the most important factors to consider when storing art at home or in storage.
How to choose the right pantry
Turning a closet or small office into an art storage room is an option, but you need to know what to look for when choosing a room in your home. The room must be finished. Avoid attics or basements unless they are finished and climate controlled. Make sure there are no vents or open windows. If your vault has an air vent, you can talk to a specialist about building a reflective device to keep air from blowing directly onto the artwork. You should also be on the lookout for dust, mold, and any musty odors that could be a sign of a more serious problem.
The last thing to avoid is storing your art in a room with an outside wall. Ideally, you will use a room that is completely inside the house. This eliminates the risk of windows bringing in sunlight and weather that can damage and tarnish the artwork.
How to ensure proper documentation when storing art
While there are basic methods you can follow to protect your work, if you keep it, you need to be prepared for the worst. Archiving your collection before packing it is absolutely essential to protect yourself from damage or loss.
“You want photos and a status report for each item,” recommends Smith. “For a museum status report, usually the notebook travels with the exhibit, and the contents and status are reported each time the box is opened,” he says. This is the perfect way to manage your art storage so you can document any changes to art or storage space over time. At the very least, you need "a snapshot, description, and record of any existing damage," Smith advises.
All this documentation can be done online in the cloud using . You can also update the location of your items on the Warehouse to keep a record of the date they were entered and their updated status reports.
A representation of your artwork organized by location is available in your Artwork Archive account. Just click "Places" and then choose the one you want to view.
How to Prepare Your Art for Storage
Clean it: Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove dust from hard surfaces. We recommend using a wood or metal polish if needed to avoid rust or scuff marks. You can consult a hardware store to find out which polish is best for your product. This will prevent dust particles, or worse, rust or damage from getting on your art. Another option is to contact an appraiser for a condition report and professional cleaning of the item.
Consult a professional for the best packaging technique: It is not uncommon for collectors to wrap their artwork in a saran before storing it. As mentioned, even if you use the right Styrofoam and cardboard to separate the design from the Saran packaging, you run the risk of trapping moisture inside. "We don't usually pack art for storage," says Smith.
Use the Crescent Board: Art preservation professionals use the Crescent Board, an acid-free professional mounting board, to separate objects from contact when stacked or transported. Thus, the product is protected, but at the same time it can breathe.
Make sure all materials are acid-free. Another thing to look out for when you're preparing your art for storage is that acid-free framing materials and acid-free storage materials were used. Acid-free materials age faster and can stain the canvas backing or print, negatively impacting the value of the item.
How to maintain the right climate
The ideal humidity for art storage is 40-50% at 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius). This can be easily achieved with a humidifier. Harsh climates can cause paint cracking, warping, paper yellowing, and mold growth. Although, when it comes to climate control, "enemy number one is rapid changes in temperature or humidity," says Smith.
He also raised an interesting question about the durability of works of art depending on their age. “With antiques, come to think of it,” Smith tells us, “they survived hundreds of years in homes without climate control.” Some of these items predate air conditioners, so they can withstand a certain range of temperatures. When you work with contemporary art, you need to be more aware. For example, an encaustic painting made with wax paint melts very quickly. "It will melt while you're at the grocery store in the summer," warns Smith.
While you need to consider the age of your art, it's best to live by the golden rule. Regardless of the composition or age of the job, you don't need a moisture change of more than 5% in 24 hours.
How to keep your work above ground
There is a well-known rule in the art world never to store your work on the ground. “Art should always be elevated off the floor,” confirms Smith. “A simple shelf or stand will do—anything that will help keep the art above the floor.”
If you have space, you can also hang your work in storage. Art is meant to be hung. It's also a great way to avoid having to add protection if it's stacked against other pieces. Smith describes a warehouse consisting of rows of chain link fences set about five feet apart. The art hangs from S-shaped hooks all around the fence. If you need to stack pieces in a small space, be sure to store your artwork like books on a bookshelf rather than in a stack, flat side down.
How to store your art if you don't have space at home
Now that you know the specifics of art storage, you have everything you need to store your art at home - if you have the space. If you don't have space for home storage, you have two options: you can store your work in a climate-controlled vault, or you can work with a dedicated art vault. As long as the device meets the above conditions, you should be safe.
There is one thing to consider when choosing between the two: your neighbors. If you're working in a vault, although these buildings are climate controlled, they don't have content control. “They have good climate control systems, they have key cards, monitors, cameras, some of which you can even connect to their webcams and look at your things sitting there,” says Smith. “The only thing they can’t control is content.” ". If moths or bugs have appeared in your neighbor's apartment, or something has been spilled, your apartment may also suffer.
Exercise due diligence when storing artwork
Hopefully by now you will feel calmer and ready to store your work. With a little professional advice and an eye for detail, you have all the tools to securely protect your art collection.
Special thanks to Derek Smith for his contribution.
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