Hanging Large Paper Works in Chinese Wood Frame Method

[Morlan Gallery]

I am tasked to hang large (76" x 26") works on paper in the Asian wood frame style. Evidently this means cutting wood strips to make a miter-edged frame around the paper. The paper is placed directly on the wall (with tissue backer), the framing device is placed around the outside of the paper, and then screwed into the wall. (Obviously, the hardware misses the paper.) The idea is the paper is sandwiched between the wooden frame and the wall.

Has anyone hung work like this before? Advice?

This is a short exhibition, so could I use kiln-dried pine for this? (No residue on the wood, inexpensive, and hopefully no twisting). Do I back the frame with acid free felting?

It seems like buckling could be an issue.

Thanks for any kind of input.

[Arnold Palmer]

Originally Posted by Morlan Gallery

I am tasked to hang large (76" x 26") works on paper in the Asian wood frame style. Evidently this means cutting wood strips to make a miter-edged frame around the paper. The paper is placed directly on the wall (with tissue backer), the framing device is placed around the outside of the paper, and then screwed into the wall. (Obviously, the hardware misses the paper.) The idea is the paper is sandwiched between the wooden frame and the wall.

Has anyone hung work like this before? Advice?

This is a short exhibition, so could I use kiln-dried pine for this? (No residue on the wood, inexpensive, and hopefully no twisting). Do I back the frame with acid free felting?

It seems like buckling could be an issue.

Thanks for any kind of input.

It might help if you identify the term 'a short exhibition.'

As a woodworker (in addition to many other things) the thought of using pine for framing leaves me wondering about the wood bleeding onto the paper. Pine is full of resins that would be catastrophic to paper artwork if left in contact for long periods of time. That said, using several coats of a high quality shellac on the wood would provide a barrier between the frame and artwork.

If you do decide to go this route, be sure to allow for several days (maybe as many as 10 days) for the last coat of shellac to dry before framing the artwork.

[Morlan Gallery]

Arnold:
Thanks for the advice. The exhibition runs four weeks. Would you still recommend shallac?
By the way, we may be related...I believe my family crest is also knife and fork over dinner plate!
Kindly,
Andrea

[Arnold Palmer]

Originally Posted by Morlan Gallery

Arnold:
Thanks for the advice. The exhibition runs four weeks. Would you still recommend shallac?
By the way, we may be related...I believe my family crest is also knife and fork over dinner plate!
Kindly,
Andrea

One (possibly two) coats of shellac would be best. Especially anywhere there might be a knot. Pine knots bleed sap very quickly and could damage the artwork.