Discuss Your Artwork
Get In Touch | Visit Us In Store | Frame Online
Different Materials Require Different Approaches
Papyrus, tapa cloth, barkcloth and other natural materials cannot necessarily be treated in the same way as a conventional print or photograph.
Some pieces are thin and fragile, while others may be heavy, flexible or highly textured. Edges may be uneven or form an important part of the artwork. Older pieces may also have become brittle or weakened over time.
Before framing, we consider the construction and condition of the piece and determine an appropriate method of support and presentation.
Papyrus Framing
Egyptian papyrus is often valued not only for the image painted or printed upon it, but also for the distinctive texture and character of the papyrus itself.
Depending on the individual work, the natural edges can be left visible rather than hidden beneath a matboard. The mounting and framing method is selected to support the piece while allowing its individual character to remain part of the presentation.
For older, delicate or particularly significant papyrus works, conservation-conscious materials and appropriate glazing can also help provide additional protection.
Tapa Cloth & Barkcloth Framing
Pacific tapa cloth and other barkcloth works can range from relatively small decorative pieces to very large textiles. Their handmade character, surface texture and irregular edges are often integral to the work.
The framing therefore needs to provide appropriate support without unnecessarily flattening or restricting the material.
Depending on the piece, we can design framing that allows the edges and surrounding space to become part of the presentation, while providing the physical support and protection the work requires.
Large tapa cloths can also require specialist consideration because of their size, weight and the way the material responds when supported vertically.
Bark Paintings & Other Natural Media
We also frame artworks created on bark, handmade papers, leaves, fibres and other natural or unconventional materials.
These pieces can present very different framing challenges. Some are rigid, some flexible; some have heavily textured surfaces, while others may be extremely delicate.
Rather than applying one standard framing method, we assess each work individually and develop a solution appropriate to its construction, condition and intended display.
Preserving the Character of the Artwork
With natural-media artworks, the objective is not simply to place the piece behind glass.
Texture, irregular edges, handmade surfaces and variations within the material are often part of what makes the artwork distinctive. Good framing should protect these characteristics while allowing them to remain visually important.
Our approach is therefore to create framing that supports and protects the work without visually overpowering it or unnecessarily concealing the qualities that make the piece unique.
Glazing & Protection
Where glazing is appropriate, we can discuss different glass and acrylic options according to the size, condition, value and intended location of the artwork.
UV-filtering glazing can provide additional protection from damaging ultraviolet light, while anti-glare glass may be considered where reflections would interfere with viewing.
No glazing can completely prevent deterioration or fading, so we also recommend considering where the finished piece will hang and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive heat or moisture.
Large & Unusual Pieces
Natural-media works do not always conform to standard picture sizes.
Large tapa cloths, long papyrus works, irregular bark paintings and oversized handmade pieces may require specialist mounting, glazing and frame construction.
Our workshop is equipped to undertake large and unusual framing projects, allowing the framing solution to be developed around the artwork rather than forcing the artwork into a standard format.
Every Piece Is Different
Whether you have brought home a papyrus from your travels, inherited a tapa cloth, collected a bark painting or own an artwork created from another unusual natural material, we can help determine an appropriate way to present and protect it.
Bring the piece into our Palmerston North gallery so we can examine its materials, condition and dimensions and discuss the framing possibilities with you.
Get In Touch | Visit Us In Store | Frame Online
