STEVEN YIP
Q Framing and Conservation Conservator
How can we ensure our paintings are not affected by heat or mildew?
Heat and humidity can weaken paintings. It’s always a good idea to rotate the works rather than leave them permanently in the same space. Rotating works puts them under different environmental conditions. Look for where light shines into your house and casts shadows. When a shadow is cast across a painting, you will be left with a two-tone painting as it will be bleached by UV light. Heat also affects humidity too. Think about when you put your shoes in a cupboard after it’s rained and spores start to form. You should also monitor the room’s temperature, heat and humidity with a hydrometer and thermometer, or have an air conditioning system that is climatic to both temperature and humidity. If you have a painting that’s damaged where can you take it in Singapore? Take it to trained and professional conservators who can restore damaged work such as here at Q Framing and Conservation. (www.qframing.com.sg)
How do you clean your artwork? Artwork should not be cleaned unless you know what you are doing. Many instances people try using vacuum cleaners to clean the artwork, and the work can get sucked out of its canvas. Some use brushes to clean. Unless you understand the structure of the painting, best not to do the cleaning on your own. Bring it to the professionals.