Preparing your artwork for Exhibition
Fabric or fibre artists please include your dowels and wires with the art that you bring
Canvases that over an inch in depth look very well without a frame. Often the canvas sides are painted either in one uniform colour or the image is continued around that edge. This is a topic of conversation and ultimately it is Artist’s Choice as to the treatment of the sides of your canvases.
Preparing your artwork for the Library Hanging system:
The Library has a professional hanging system which uses strong locking hooks. This can present a problem for certain kinds of frames such as glass clip frames or pre-fabricated frames that have a zigzag or claw-tooth hanger.
Please ensure that your artwork can be safely hung by attaching screw eyes and wire to your frame/artwork.
If your frame has a zig-zag or claw-tooth hanger (found on many ready-made frames), please insert screw-eyes 1/3 from the top of your frame and attach wires. The wire should not be tight, but allow for enough slack such that the wire will come within 1 - 2 inches from the top of your frame (and the hanging devices will be well hidden behind your art work).
Please attach a label to the back of your work with a card that identifies you as the artist, the title of the painting, the year it was created, medium and size details.
Other treatments that are optional:
black Bristol board is loosely stapled over the back to ‘hide’ the raw canvas edge which will still allow the canvas to breathe.
Tape wire ends so that others will not prick their fingers when handling the work.
Wires and screw-eyes. D-rings, crimped wires and coated wires are other options.
Example of how to prepare your frame for hanging with D hooks and picture wire.
Please note: We will not hang artwork displayed in clip frames (glass placed over your work on paper and attached by side clips) because they are untrustworthy in a public space and we cannot be responsible for damage. If you bring work with this kind of framing we will not be able to hang it and would hate for you to be in this position.