Artcare - Auckland Art Gallery

The Museum Environmentto remain on natural fibres will stain, gradually weakenthe fibres and create holes.Dry Rot—the surfaces of wooden items can bestained by mould, while wood-rotting fungi such as dryrot severely damage the structure. Wood decay such asdry rot and wet rot will only develop where wood is constantlydamp or wet.Mould on Paint—the supports of paintings are susceptibleto fungal attack but mould can also grow on thepaint layers. This usually begins with the mould growingon the support or on surface dust. Either way, iteventually eats into the paint layer as well and can leavepermanent stains.Foxing—the brown spot stains on paper called ‘foxing’require the combination of metallic impurities inthe paper and micro-organisms for their development.Mould ControlKeep Storage and Display Areas Clean—dust containsdormant mould spores and will sustain theirgrowth under favourable conditions.Keep Relative Humidity Below 65%—air conditioningshould operate 24 hours a day. If there is no air conditioning,storage should be in a drier part of thebuilding. Do not store works of art or artefacts in dampbasements. Avoid hanging pictures on outside walls thatare not insulated or on walls that feel cold or damp.Do not frame pictures in direct contact with glazing.If items are stored or displayed in closed or airtightcontainers, the internal relative humidity should be considered.It may be advisable to control it with silica gel.Maintain Good Air Circulation—good air circulationreduces the likelihood of mould growth. Do not storeworks of art or artefacts directly on the floor. Raise themup on supports to permit the air to circulate. Circulationof air behind pictures may be assisted by attaching piecesof cork, rubber, plastic or cardboard to the lower cornersof frames so that they are held away from the walls. Donot store or display items in closed containers or roomswithout provision for air circulation or dehumidification.Regular Inspections of the Collection—regularchecks may mean that a problem is caught before it getstoo bad. Photographic records of condition mean thatany changes can be quickly and accurately identified.Avoid the Use of Fungicides—they should be avoidedif possible as there is a risk of damage both to theobjects and to human health. If there is a mould infestationconsult a conservator for advice.7