How to +ART (Buying & Usage Guide)

Passing Art on to the Future: A Complete Guide to Proper Storage

About the +ART Column The +ART Column shares stories that help you feel closer to art. We introduce featured artists for each season and offer clear explanations for those new to art, presenting its many facets from a variety of angles. Our aim is to help you discover little cues for letting art naturally find a place in everyday life. Come and enjoy the world of art at your own pace. Contents Introduction Could the causes of art deterioration be right beside us!? Master the best storage method for each type! Know-how for long-term storage! Equip yourself with the right storage supplies, too! In closing Introduction Carry your works into the future! A thorough guide to proper storage Have you ever seen a work in a museum that was made hundreds of years ago? From those beautifully displayed pieces, you rarely sense the wear you'd expect for their age, do you? That is precisely thanks to proper storage! Art deteriorates over time. Oil paintings can crack, watercolors can fade, sculptures can discolor — all kinds of deterioration can occur. To pass your treasured artworks on to the future, the right knowledge and proper care are essential! This time, we'll explain the causes of deterioration and the best storage methods — the means to protect your precious works of art! Could the causes of art deterioration be right beside us!? The factors that cause art to deteriorate differ by the type and material of the work, but the main shared culprits are lurking surprisingly close at hand! Master the best storage method for each type! Artworks deteriorate in different ways depending on the materials and media used. Let's master the proper storage method for each one! Oil paintings ⚠︎Keep out of direct sunlight and maintain humidity at 50–60%⚠︎ Dust regularly and check that the canvas isn't sagging. As needed, have a specialist clean it or reapply varnish. Watercolors ⚠︎Take special care with moisture and light⚠︎ When framing, leave a gap between the work and the glass. Use acid-free mats and backing boards to prevent deterioration caused by acidic substances. Japanese-style paintings (nihonga) ⚠︎Beware of moisture and insect damage⚠︎ Storage in a paulownia-wood box is ideal. Air it out regularly and use insect repellent. Acrylic paintings ⚠︎Watch out for fading caused by UV rays⚠︎ Framing with UV-blocking acrylic glazing is effective! Store in a place with little temperature change to prevent the paint from cracking. When stacking paintings together, always place a protective sheet between them. Know-how for long-term storage! "There's so much to worry about just to store a single work — it's quite a task..." "If I display it, won't it just keep deteriorating...?" So far, knowing that deteriorating conditions are all around us may make you anxious and hesitant to buy. But in fact, there are tricks to enjoying a work for a long time while still displaying it anywhere you like in your home! Check the condition regularly! Once you tuck a work away, or settle on a single spot to display it, chances to check its condition naturally dwindle. It's important to check the work's condition regularly and, if anything seems off, to feel free to consult a specialist or the gallery you bought it from! Also, at the time of purchase, be sure to record details such as the artist, the year of creation, and the purchase price! There are insurance plans suited to works of art! Did you know you can insure a work of art when buying it as an individual? The amount varies from work to work, but such plans generally cover restoration costs when a piece is damaged in an accident, earthquake, flood, fire, and the like. For the insurance scheme established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, see here! Equip yourself with the right storage supplies, too! To store artworks properly, it's also important to choose storage supplies suited to the work's type and size! Using the right supplies protects works from physical damage and changes in their environment, making long-term preservation possible. Frames Even "a frame" comes in countless designs and functions. Finding the design you love to match your work is part of the fun! Because they protect the work well, frames using UV-blocking acrylic or glass can also prevent fading caused by ultraviolet light! Protective mats They keep the work from touching the glass directly, protecting it from moisture and dirt! In particular, they absorb moisture well, helping to prevent mold. They can also be used to adjust the thickness when placing a work in a frame! For product details and the source, see here Storage boxes & protective sheets Boxes are indispensable when storing a work without displaying it, or when transporting it. Choosing a box made of a material suited to storage can keep out pests and humidity! Paulownia boxes have a humidity-regulating function and are ideal for storing Japanese artworks. Also, when stacking works together in a box, always place a protective sheet between each painting! Made of materials gentle on the works, they prevent the pieces from rubbing against one another or sticking to the box. Gloves It's easy to overlook, but handling works while wearing gloves is also an important way to prevent deterioration! They keep fingerprints and oils from your skin off the work. Cotton gloves are gentle on works and easy to use, so we recommend them! Desiccants & insect repellents Choose the right desiccant and insect repellent to match the work's type and material! Points to note when choosing storage supplies ⚠︎ Choose storage supplies suited to the work's material and size. ⚠︎ Acid-free supplies prevent deterioration caused by acidic substances. ⚠︎ Take moisture- and insect-proofing measures suited to your storage environment. ⚠︎ Keep storage supplies clean. In closing How was that? Storing artworks may have seemed difficult. But with a little ingenuity and knowledge, you can keep your treasured works beautiful for a long time! Choose the right environment and tools to suit the type of work, and handle your art with care. And if anything ever worries you, feel free to consult a specialist or a gallery anytime! To purchase art or seek advice, see here ▶ +ART ▶ ONLINE SHOP