How To Protect Artwork From Sun Damage
Hanging a gallery of curated artwork is the best way to display and enjoy the pieces that we love on our walls. And as much as we invested time and effort in collecting art, we should also know how to care and protect it.
Hanging a gallery of curated artwork is the best way to display and enjoy the pieces that we love on our walls. And as much as we invested time and effort in collecting art, we should also know how to care and protect it.
How can sunlight damage art?
Aside from the visible light and heat that the sun produces, it is also composed of UV light that is a higher form of energy that can be potentially damaging to works of art that receive too much exposure of it on a regular basis whether it’s direct or indirect. Photolysis, a chemical reaction that takes place when UV rays change the artwork at a molecular level, can cause fading when the ultraviolet radiation breaks the chemical bond of color molecules of the art. Artwork of different materials like fabrics, photos, watercolor paintings, and prints have a high risk of discoloration, fade or damage with long exposure to direct sunlight and the potential harm that can be done is irreversible.
How to avoid light damage?
Art, as well as everything else on this planet, is composed of substances that are bound to deteriorate through time. This may be true but still there are things that you can do to make sure that your pieces last longer. The good news is, there are easy solutions that can be done to help prevent light damage.
Keep them out of sunlight or indirect sunlight
Avoid the potential damage by hanging them on walls and shelves that do not receive a huge amount sunlight. This is the best way to prevent artwork from fading and discoloration. Direct sunlight or even indirect light can affect the quality an art.
Carefully assess the lighting in your living space. Is there an area in your home that is highly exposed to the sun? Then this might not be the best place to display your paintings, poster prints or other artwork. This also works the same for fluorescent lights as they also have a fair amount of UV rays that can cause them to fade.
Cover the light source
If moving your artwork to a different place is out of the question, protect them by hanging drapes or curtains on your windows. The shades provided by them block sunlight coming in through the windows thus decreasing the light exposure and protecting them from the damaging effects of the sun. Drawing up the curtains when the sun shines at its brightest can help protect your art. You can also consider using acrylic films that can be put on your windows to filter out the harmful UV rays that can potentially reach your art collection.
Use UV blocking filters for your light frames
Think about how special an artwork is to you. If it is a piece that you always want to see but just can’t take the risk of damage, there are specially designed UV acrylic plexiglass for your frames that can be used instead of the regular glass that only protects your art from dust or scratches. They can block 98% of UV light that can fade or breakdown the colors of prints or paintings.
Conclusion:
Artwork gives colour and interest in a room and light gives us a clearer view of the intricate details and artistry in a specific masterpiece. To properly enjoy our art pieces, purchasing them and putting them in a place where we can take pleasure in its beauty isn’t enough. It requires maintenance. Make sure they are protected from the damaging effects of light as well as other outside forces that may bring wear and tear.
