Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Prepping Art for Show or Exhibition

Ok, I started out in this art world as an art quilter.  Easy right.  We just sew on a sleeve to the back of the piece and we are good to go.

However, ALL of the shows/exhibitions I've been accepted in this year so far are NOT quilt shows.  All art must arrive ready to hang.  I started out with a dowel rod with eye hooks and picture wire.  While acceptable...I was not complete happy with how it looked and how it hung.  I thought of several options...none of which thrilled me.  But, now I think I have solved my problem.

Today I was putting the finishing touches on a piece to deliver to the 17th Annual Primavera Celebrate Spring Exhibition in Plymouth, MN.  The piece, "Spring Forward", is a 12" X 12" Mixed Media Textile.  I also need to anchor some of the watch mainsprings and this method helped in that regard as well. 

Here are the steps I took to make it work.

First, I found a complimentary textile, cut 4 strips and hand stitched them to the four sides of the finished and bound piece. Then I placed it on a 2" deep 12" X 12" canvas purchased at JoAnn's.  I wrapped the sides around and stapled them to the back of the canvas frame.  I LOVE IT!!!!!!




I took one strand of light weight picture wire, threaded it through a needle and stitched down some of the strategic parts of the metal on the art work. I found it very useful to use a small pliers to pull the wire through both the art and the canvas.  The wire is slightly visible on top of the mainspring, so I just took a black Pigma Pen and colored it so it wouldn't show.





I trimmed the wires even though they won't show. (If you are anchoring metals on textiles or art quilts, you can do this same thing using the art layer and the batting. Then the anchoring wire would be hidden when adding the backing)

Next I prepared the backer board. I used thin cardboard from a multi-pack snack box.  I cut it 1"- 1.25" smaller than the measurements of the canvas.  (so this was cut to 10.75").  Then I took some white easel paper and wrapped the coardboard, securing it with painter's tape.  The staple gun then attached it to the back of the canvas frame.  



Now for the finishing touches.  I covered the staples with some paper tape. Attached the hanging hardware. And finally, added the label with the name of the art work and my name.  The QR code is my name, address,  & phone.


Here is a side view so you can see how the piece looks wrapped on the canvas.


All that was left then was to package it up and deliver it!

I think this is a MUCH better way to present textile work for a show that is NOT primarily (or at all) quilt related.

6 comments:

Regina B Dunn said...

Very professional looking. I'll keep your directions in a file for future use. Thank you for sharing.

Regina B Dunn said...

Very professional looking. I'll keep your directions in a file for future use. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Regina! I think it looks much better and more professional as well. Glad you might be able to use these directions some time!

Jo Rice said...

This is timely as I am getting ready for a show. I'm just starting the preparations and planning. Thanks.

Unknown said...

JO!! so glad it was helpful to you. And best of luck on your upcoming show!!

Beth said...

I frame all my pieces like that. I just wish the quilt world would "get it" and allow work frames or mounted on frames in SAQA events.