Artwork Care and Display
Thoughtful placement and gentle care help you enjoy your artwork over time. Every work is different: its materials, surface, age, condition and framing all affect how it should be handled and displayed. This guide offers general precautions, not a condition assessment or treatment instructions. Follow any artwork-specific advice supplied by the artist, gallery or a qualified conservator.
Choosing scale for a wall
Measure the available wall space and check the artwork dimensions before purchasing. Confirm whether the listed measurements include the frame, and allow extra room for any proposed framing. Mark the overall size using a paper template, keeping tape away from artwork and delicate wall finishes. View it from your usual seating position and from the room entrance.
Consider nearby furniture, doors, switches and walkways, as well as space around the work. There is no single correct size or hanging height for every room. For a group of works, plan the full arrangement and spacing before installing fixings. Photographs and screen images are useful planning aids, but are not reliable measures of size or colour.
Framing considerations
Choose framing for the particular medium and condition, not just its appearance. Works on paper, photographs and textiles often need protective glazing and suitable conservation-quality mounts or supports. Ask a specialist framer about reversible mounting methods, appropriate backing and keeping the artwork surface clear of the glazing.
Paintings on canvas, works on board and mixed-media pieces can have different requirements. Do not assume every painting needs glazing, or that every surface can safely be enclosed in the same way. Ask before changing an existing frame, removing backing or attaching anything to a work. Do not trim, glue, laminate or tape an artwork yourself. UV-filtering glazing may reduce some exposure but does not make an artwork safe in direct sunlight.
Lighting and ultraviolet exposure![]()
Keep artwork out of direct sunlight and away from strong, prolonged light. Works on paper, photographs, textiles and some pigments can be especially light-sensitive, but visible light and ultraviolet exposure can affect many materials. Damage may accumulate before it is obvious.
Use gentle, indirect lighting and avoid fittings that direct heat onto the work. Reduce unnecessary lighting when the room is not in use. Blinds or curtains can help manage daylight, but do not guarantee protection. For delicate or light-sensitive works, ask a conservator about an appropriate display plan rather than relying on a universal light level.
Humidity and temperature
Choose a stable, dry indoor location, away from damp walls, condensation, bathrooms, cooking steam, heaters, fireplaces and direct air-conditioning flow. Avoid rapid changes in humidity and temperature. Different materials respond differently, so one numerical target is not suitable advice for every work or home.
Check occasionally for condensation, mould, warping, lifting surfaces or changes to the frame or backing. If you notice moisture or mould, avoid touching or cleaning the affected area and seek advice promptly. Do not use heat, direct sun or a hairdryer to dry artwork.
Handling, hanging and display
Plan the route and prepare a clear, stable space before moving a work. Use clean, dry hands where handling is appropriate, keep fingers off the image and painted surface, and avoid jewellery or clothing that could catch. Support the frame or the structurally sound parts of the object, never lift by a hanging wire, decorative projection or fragile edge. Get help with large, heavy, glazed or awkward works.
Use fixings suitable for the wall construction, artwork weight and hanging system. Have a qualified installer assess heavy works, uncertain walls or locations where a fall could cause injury. Check existing fittings and do not assume supplied hardware suits your wall. Do not alter the artwork or frame structure yourself.
For sculpture, glass and ceramics, choose a level, stable support with adequate capacity, away from edges, busy walkways, children and pets. Do not assume a work is suitable for outdoor display. Ask about material-specific handling, supports and installation before moving or placing it.
Cleaning and routine checks
The safest approach to an uncertain surface is not to clean it. Do not apply water, household cleaners, solvents, polish or sprays to artwork. Do not rub, brush or vacuum a painted, paper, photographic, textile or mixed-media surface without artwork-specific professional advice. Even apparently sturdy glass, ceramic or metal objects may have vulnerable coatings, decoration, joins or repairs.
If glazing and the frame are sound and you have been advised that cleaning is appropriate, clean the outside of the glazing cautiously, using a suitable cloth with any approved cleaner applied to the cloth, never sprayed onto the frame. Keep moisture away from edges and openings. Acrylic glazing and specialist coatings may require different products, so follow the glazing supplier's instructions. Do not open a sealed frame or remove the artwork to clean it.
Look for changes without touching the surface: loose fittings, cracks, flaking, staining, insects, distortion or condensation are reasons to stop and ask for advice. Never attempt repairs, retouching or mould removal yourself.
When to contact the gallery
Please contact Red Hill Gallery before reframing, cleaning an uncertain material, installing a heavy or delicate work, or displaying artwork in a humid, sunny or outdoor location. Share the artist and title, photographs, approximate dimensions, any known material details and your question. We can discuss the information available for the work and whether specialist framing, installation or conservation advice is needed.
If a work arrives with apparent damage, keep the packaging and photograph the work and packaging without further handling or attempted repair. Contact the gallery promptly for guidance. For delivery arrangements, see the delivery information on our Services page, or ask the gallery about your order.