Friends, this post is about sharing my experience as an Art Collector and how to preserve these fine artworks to make them long-lasting and durable. The Paintings you see here are by Dhananjay Mukherjee, a contemporary artist from India. He participated in more than 110 Group shows and 24 solo shows in India & Abroad. His paintings are basically a judicious mix of the abstract and realistic forms. His thoughts stem from unique imagination, which combines the real natural world with the artistic & creative world.

As mentioned earlier, I am going to share a few maintenance tips which will help you keep your artwork alive for a longer period of time. Owning an expensive painting for your home or office is a matter of pride. But to make this long-lasting and durable art a part of the family for generations it needs proper care and handling. And preserving an artwork is not at all a difficult task provided you follow all the guidelines.

Art always represents something unique and beautiful deserving of special care. Artworks may be masterpieces or done by upcoming artists, the support used may be paper, canvas or cloth, whatever the medium involved all artworks need to be cared for in a special manner. Paintings require and demand care if one wants them to keep giving the viewing pleasure for many years to come.

Like the setting for a diamond, the frame around a work of art is the finishing touch, the element that completes and elevates a painting, presenting it to the viewer in its best possible light. Framing, however, is an art in and of itself, and just as a good frame choice can greatly enhance the appearance of a work, a poor frame choice can drastically diminish a work.

Key Facts to preserve artworks:

-Avoid direct light, frame artworks using a UV-coated or no-reflecting glass.
-Do not place paintings near a heat source or air-conditioning vent.
-Mitigate the effects of pollution by framing all works using acid free mounts and boards.
-Never spray insecticides near or on stored artworks.
-Regularly inspect and clean stored artworks.
-Place paintings flat in a crate while storing.
-Never spray cleaning agents directly on a painting or frame.
-Remove mold using a soft brush and low suction vacuum cleaner.
-Be very careful while moving artworks.

Potential threats to artworks:

-Light: When placing lights make sure that it does not reflect on the artwork, this is the ideal distance to be maintained. Also avoid direct sunlight by not placing the works opposite windows which not only could fade the paint but also discolor the paper.
-Humidity: It is always best to avoid hanging framed pictures in humid conditions. Fluctuations and extremes in temperature and humidity levels can have a detrimental effect upon the preservation of archival materials.
-Pests: Regular inspections of stored collections provide the cheapest and safest method of safeguarding against infestation. Screening on windows and doors will aid in keeping out larger pests. In addition, fresh flowers and plants should be inspected before being placed in the vicinity of your artworks.
-Mold: Areas of high humidity and damp are highly susceptible to damage by mold growth. Any appearance of mold must be immediately removed; the best way is to use a soft brush and low suction vacuum cleaner.

 

This post is dedicated to Art lovers and upcoming artists. Please send me a mail at email2sanchali@gmail.com along with a link to your blog/website/online portfolio if you wish to put up few more key facts to preserve artworks. Any feedback, critiques or comments are welcome. You can purchase our paintings by simply popping me a PM or leaving your comments below. Until my next post take care everyone.

XOXO

~Sanchali