Long-term Storage

There is always a little wiggle room between what is ideal and what is possible. But when you understand what ideal looks like, then best practices start to feel much more attainable.

This is not just philosophical nonsense. I am talking about storage—more specifically, 2D art storage. There comes a point in any artist’s life when storage has to be considered. It can be pesky, inconvenient, and also necessary. I have personally ruined more than one piece by letting artwork sit in a basement, only to discover years later that it had been damaged by water, bugs, dust, or any number of other harmful agents. Conservators refer to these risks as the Ten Agents of Deterioration. With just a little forethought, you can protect against many of them and help preserve your archive for years to come. Let future viewers be the judge of whether the art is good or bad; your job is to make it and give it the best chance to last.

Below are the Ten Agents of Deterioration. If the topic is of particular interest to you, I highly recommend reading more on the AIC (American Institute for Conservation) website, linked here. https://conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Ten_Agents_of_Deterioration

1. Physical Forces

2. Thieves, Vandals, and Displacers

3. Fire

4. Water

5. Pests

6. Pollutants

7. Light

8. Incorrect Temperature

9. Incorrect Relative Humidity

10. Custodial Neglect & Dissociation

For now, we will focus on numbers 4–9, since those are often the most likely to be within our control. As you begin thinking through storage solutions, here are a few practical questions to consider.

Start with the medium.

Consider both the substrate and the material used on top of it. How can you cover the artwork without smudging or changing the surface? Acid-free folders are often a great option for works on paper because they keep the art accessible while still offering

protection. If you want to take it a step further, an acid-free box allows you to store multiple artworks together, separated with interleaving or individual folders. I like Hollinger Metal Edge for lots of great supplies. https://www.hollingermetaledge.com/solandercase/?searchid=0&search_query=solander

Next, think about where the work will be stored.

If space allows, works on paper are best stored flat so they have the best chance of staying that way. This is not always necessary, or even practical, for paintings on canvas or linen. When stretched on bars, they can usually be stored upright much more easily. Just watch out for pressure points: you do not want anything pressing against the surface or pushing in from behind. A helpful rule of thumb is to store works face-to-face and back-to-back. Keep similar sizes together, and separate pieces with acid-free materials whenever possible.

Here are a few rules I try to maintain for my own art:

1. Keep it off the ground. You never know when flooding might happen, and you will be glad you made the extra effort if it does.

2. Keep light off your work. Use dark drawers or shelves to your advantage so your storage can protect the art even when studio lights are on.

3. Pay attention to temperature and humidity. Does your space have large temperature fluctuations? Would a dehumidifier help? In our climate, it is rarely too dry, but that may be worth considering if you live somewhere else.

4. Clean up from time to time. Just like us, pests love to eat. Depending on the organic matter in your space, you may attract different kinds of bugs—think tracked-in leaves or dirt, dust, old fabrics, and similar materials. The best way to keep pests at bay is to clean up regularly. Vacuum, wipe down non-art surfaces, and keep the area tidy. And honestly, who does not love a freshly cleaned space?

Hopefully, this has you thinking a little more about what it means to be a steward of your own artwork. Also keep in mind the same approach can apply to many kinds of collections, including books, memorabilia, old family photo albums, VHS tapes, records, and more.