HOW TO DISPLAY ART
From fixtures and frames to creating a gallery wall
Are there any rules for hanging art? ‘If it’s going in a room with high ceilings or over furniture, go with what feels proportional in the space,’ says Anne Trouillet Rogers, founder of art consultancy Culture A. ‘Start with a 160cm eye line as a guide and adjust from there. D-rings and wire are standard hanging fixtures, but make sure the wire is taut. If you have a heavy artwork, consider a French cleat system, which balances the weight.’ Also, don’t hang anything above a radiator – the heat can cause warping.
What are my framing options? There are many! Adam Bridgland, studio manager at London’s Jealous Gallery, suggests keeping it simple. ‘I like to high-float mount my works in a box frame, which is quite a sculptural technique,’ he says. ‘A more traditional window mount is ideal for framing a photograph or postcardsized work. Be generous with the space around the art and always go for an extra centimetre at the bottom.’ To introduce colour, one trick is to pick out a shade in the work and match it to the moulding. Equally, a painting on canvas may work best in a tray frame, leaving the front exposed so you can appreciate the texture.
And the glass? ‘In a room where there is lots of light, go for a non-reflective glass such as Tru Vue 92 or Museum Glass,’ continues Bridgland. ‘Perspex or acrylic is also something to think about if the work is large and you need to reduce the weight of the frame.’
How should I light artworks? ‘Choose a source with a high CRI (Colour Rendering Index), which will accurately portray the true colour of the artwork,’ says Sally Storey, creative director at John Cullen Lighting. ‘Oil paintings tend to be glossier than acrylic and will create glare if lit from the wrong angle, while watercolours are normally under glass and require far less light.’ The style of your home will also influence the lighting. ‘In a more traditional house, a picture light may feel appropriate; for a contemporary look, opt for recessed downlights.’ It’s also important to look at how this fits with other layers of light in the room. ‘To create more drama, decide on the key piece of art. Light this in a more focused way and leave the rest softly lit,’ she adds.