Artcare - Auckland Art Gallery

Packing / HandlingIf the picture has to travel only a short distance, itis possible to avoid crating by soft wrapping. Thisinvolves wrapping it in clean tissue or Tyvek, cutting twoboards (eg corrugated cardboard) that are the same outsidedimensions as the frame and placing them on eitherside of the painting, and wrapping the whole package inbubblewrap. Extra padding (eg Evazote) may be wrappedaround an ornate frame before the cardboard layer.Labels should be attached to the exterior.Packing Unstretched CanvasesThese works are invariably large and extremely vulnerable.Ideally, they should be carried flat and supportedby a tray. This would have to be the method used if thereare collage elements, low relief areas or areas of heavypaint (impasto).As sliding trays or drawers are in common use for thestorage of vulnerable textiles, it would be possible to usethese same custom-made drawers within a crate for transportingworks on exhibition. This sliding tray/drawer is avariation of the system used in packing small items in thedecorative arts and for transporting framed, glazed workswith fragile frames, as described previously. The sideopeningcrate is virtually a chest of drawers with eachdrawer supporting another. Strapping over layers of acidfreematerial would restrict any movement.Rolling a loose canvas is a last option; the paint surfacemust be thin and flexible if this method of packingis used. The same method can apply for tapestry andtapa cloth. The roll should measure at least 400 mm indiameter and should be covered with plastic followed byacid-free tissue or Tyvek to protect the artwork from anydirt, acidity or other undesirable materials in the cylinder.The work is rolled with acid-free tissue or Tyvek onboth sides.The length of the cylinder must be 200 mm greaterthan the width of the work to be rolled so that a clear100 mm at each end of the rolled work can be supportedon shaped blocks and therefore free of the floor.The work must always be packed face down so thatthe paint layer is not subjected to a concertina actionwhen rolled.61