Conservation services
Conservation services — what to look out for, and what I can do for you
Paper has been made and used for hundreds of years, and examples survive that are many hundreds of years old. There are different reasons why paper survives — or does not.
There are simple steps that can be taken to ensure your paper items are preserved and their lives prolonged — and that is where I can help. The list below is not exhaustive, but covers the problems I most often see and put right.
Framing
Correct framing is the most important thing you can do for your works of art on paper.
The example on the right shows a yellow-brown acidic mount: the core of this mount board is made of very poor paper and has yellowed with age. Over time this can stain the art work where it touches, causing what conservators call 'mount burn'. I can treat the paper to reduce the staining — but of course prevention is better than the cure. Using best-quality conservation or museum mount board prevents this from happening in the first place.
Yellowing paper is a sign that the structure of the paper is deteriorating; as well as being disfiguring, it can shorten the work's life. I can usually remove or reduce this yellowing.
Foxing
Foxing can be caused by a number of things.
Most foxing (those reddish-brown spots) is caused by mould or fungal growth; sometimes by metal particles within the paper that have reacted or rusted, causing the unsightly stains. Foxing is mainly disfiguring rather than dangerous, and is not always easy to treat or remove — but I can usually reduce it enough to visually improve the art work. An example of treatment is shown on the watercolour below.
Tears and repairs
Physical damage to paper can be repaired.
If paper is not handled carefully, damage can occur — and damage can also occur due to biological agents. The damage above was caused by mould and poor handling, but careful repairing from behind holds the paper together; although not invisible, the repair is barely noticeable when the work is seen in a frame.
Conservation framing
Good framing is good preservation.
We all want our art works presented in the best possible way to make them look good — but sometimes this compromises their preservation. This is where I can make sure that framing is carried out to conservation or museum standards: I use the best-quality mount boards, ensure the work is not touching the glass, and seal the frame to keep thunder flies (or thrips) from getting in.
When things go wrong
Water and moisture are bad for paper.
When art works get wet or damp, mould can flourish, disfigure and cause severe damage. It can be safely and completely removed if treated as soon as it starts. Mould is not only damaging to the paper — it is also extremely hazardous to health, so needs to be done very carefully.
Tape is evil
Pressure-sensitive tapes should never be used.
But unfortunately they are — by people thinking they are 'fixing' a problem, or just using what is to hand. The adhesive is the evil part: as it ages, it dries out, stops sticking, and discolours or embrittles the paper. I can remove it, but cannot always remove the associated staining completely. I only use tested conservation tapes and adhesives to repair and hinge objects in frames — guaranteed.
If you have a problem you would like to discuss, please get in touch.