Perfect frame for your new artwork?
Art is made to be appreciated, so it's no surprise that framing – along with lighting, curation, and wall coloring – is a central subject for a work's presentation. But while institutions and galleries have the professional knowledge and resources to confidently navigate the framing process, for collectors it can be overwhelming: the ideal frame should protect the object while having a visual symphony with the work itself, while at the same time fits the collector's budget. And like any aesthetic industry, framing has evolved over the decades and changed shape in response to different trends and needs.Below are five tips to keep in mind the next time you need to frame a piece of art.
Find a professional who knows the material
Rule number one: identify the artwork. It is important to find a person who knows the monetary and intellectual value of the work, as well as the technique. That means you'll likely need to use several different frames, depending on the type of works that are in your collection: Framing a fragile Louise Bourgeois ink on 1950s paper will require a different approach than doing the same for a recent MFA digital print.
Think about the long-term relationship of the artwork to the frame…
In addition to providing an aesthetic accent, the framing protects the piece. Protection from UV lights and the sun, dust, physical contact and other external damage is, in fact, the main objective of any experienced professional. It is essential to look for a specialist who offers a conservation framework. The conservation framework not only protects the art, it also ensures that the treatment is safely reversible – we have to protect the art from external effects as well as from itself.
This includes mounting the work on a surface without damaging its back and corners. An experienced professional will be able to make recommendations and explain the differences between these different methods, so don't be afraid to ask. The virtually invisible anti-glare cover is the best choice among museums and high-end collectors. Although it may be more expensive, conscious framing will help ensure a damage-free life for a work in the future, thus being a way to ensure that it does not decrease in value.
reversible options
Collectors should make sure they opt for reversible framing. This allows the art to have a “facelift” in the future! Spaces are constantly being redecorated, as framing trends change, sometimes it is necessary to change to a new frame. It is important to be proactive when ordering reversible options as it ensures that a work is not damaged during the process. This means that it is crucial to work with professionals who are comfortable dealing with all the elements, as there are quite challenging cases. For example, multiple frames of a job can result in a damaged back, which requires careful care. And when it comes to stretching the screens again, an important but crucial detail is to do it with existing holes instead of drilling new ones.
Choose color and material
Whether it's organic wood tones like maple, walnut and cherry, the timeless safe arms of black or white, or more experimental pastels, the color choices are more plentiful than ever. And there are also numerous decisions to be made in the area of materials. Today, many manufacturers are committing to more sustainable materials and using wood that meets approved ethical sourcing standards. Metal frames also exist, and chrome is gaining more popularity as a nostalgic nod to the 1980s. While all of these choices might seem daunting at first, a good professional will be eager to guide collectors to the options that work best for them. the artwork, complementing it rather than overshadowing it. Do not forget, that art should not become an element of interior design, so the frames should respect the piece and almost disappear.
talk to a professional
Contemporary art comes in many shapes, materials, and sizes, which can require some innovative framing thinking. Reframing a poorly handled or damaged work of art can require a surgeon's precision. Artists are constantly scaling up the materials they work on, which leads to a number of challenges. Of course, more difficult framing jobs and the experience to do them will not be the cheapest option. Even for the simplest of jobs, the cost pays off in the long run. For example, a movie poster that cost €15 can become a collector's item in a few decades. As with many things, it's an asset to choose the right frame so that your artwork will be valued in the future.
