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HANG ART LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

Believe it or not, there is an art to hanging pictures. Guessing and doing

things by eye may seem like a good idea, but in reality, results are much

better if you follow a few simple rules.

Generally, in galleries and museums, works look good due to the

consideration of space and objects around them, and the height they are

displayed at. This applies to groups of works also.

Good lighting also helps, but a mathematically consistent hang will always

be more pleasing to the eye than poorly curated placement.

Additionally, there are some do’s and don’ts which make a big difference

with keeping you and your pictures safe from falling, warping, fading and

failing.

I have installed over 200 exhibitions over the past ten years and curated

over thirty shows nationally and internationally in private and public

museums, galleries and art fairs. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the

National Art School and a Masters in Cultural Materials Conservation from

the University of Melbourne, specialising in the care and restoration of

paintings.

I can hang just about anything, from taxidermy, family photos and sports

memorabilia to mirrors, paintings, works on paper and ethnographic

artefacts!

What follows is a simple guide to hanging like a professional, if you find

this all a bit overwhelming, feel free to ask me to do it for you, it could

save your sanity!

Cash Brown 2015

TIPS:

Get together with a hanging buddy and work out where the picture/s

look best, bearing in mind access…

Will it fit through the doors, up the stairs or around the corner?

Can you carry it alone? Will the wall bear the weight?

Is it near a fire, sunny window, air-conditioning outlet?

Cut out a paper template the same size as your picture/s and stick to

the wall - this is particularly useful for complex ‘salon’ hangs.

Here is an example of three very different artworks hung harmoniously using a 1500

mm centreline. Note how the width of the central piece dictates the distance of

adjacent works.

1500 mm

Floorline

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THE PICTURE

The back of your picture will ideally have a hanging device, most usually

‘D’- rings with a wire or cord running between them.

If it has screw eye hooks or staples, replace with ‘D’-rings, making sure

you pre-drill holes in the wood, at least 10 cm from the top of the frame,

using a fine drill bit to prevent splitting the frame or stretcher. If it has

loose, rusted or frayed wire, replace it with proper hanging wire or cord.

Unless the picture is small and light (under 4 kg), hanging from the ‘D’

rings is preferable to hanging from the wire or cord.

There are good reasons for this:

1) You won’t ever have to straighten the picture 2) It’s safer and stronger than hanging from a wire or cord –

especially for works behind glass! 3) The picture will be more flush with the wall and not lean out at the

top 4) Two points of failure instead of one – if one of your screws comes

out or your plaster crumbles, your picture will not crash! 5) Frames can warp if hung using one point from a wire due to strain

pulling the wood out of shape.

I also like to add felt spots (sold as self-adhesive floor protectors at

hardware stores) to prevent scratching the wall and allow some air

circulation behind the picture to lessen chances of mould growth.

THE POSITION

Generally people hang artwork too high, or at inconsistent heights which looks messy and unprofessional. A general rule of thumb is to have EVERYTHING on your walls hanging with a centreline of 1500 mm from the floor, including mirrors, clocks family snaps etc.

MEASURING

STEP 1:

a) Measure the overall height of your picture, divide this number by two

and write it down.

b) Then deduct the distance between the ‘D’ rings and the top of the

frame, or the centre of the hanging wire when stretched and top of the

frame.

c) Then add 1500 mm.

d) This will give you the correct height for your screws.

STEP 2:

a) Measure the width of your wall if you want to centre your picture/s

b) If using a central hanging point from the wire, simply half the width, and

plot the height calculated earlier.

c) If hanging from ‘D’-rings, measure the width of your picture between

the centre of ‘D’ -rings.

d) Halve this number and subtract from half the width of the wall, this

gives you the distance from the edge of the wall.

TIPS:

Always measure both sides of the picture, sometimes ‘D’ rings are

unevenly placed, and remember to calculate heights in reverse as you

turn the picture around to hang it

Measure twice – drill once!

Use a spirit level to check your results, floors can be uneven

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OVERVIEW

SELECTING THE RIGHT HARDWARE

You don’t need special hooks or picture hanging kits to hang. Simple screws

and wall plugs will suffice depending on the type of wall and the weight of

your picture.

Masonry walls

You will need wall plugs with corresponding size masonry drill bit and

screws.

The size of plugs and screws depends on the overall weight and size of the

picture, but generally I use 7mm x 35 mm green outdoor use wall plugs and

35 mm galvanised Philips head screws.

TIPS:

If your wall is crumbly, make an ‘X’ with masking tape over the spot to

be drilled, and remove carefully after you have made your hole

Stick an envelope below where you are about to drill to collect the dust

Make sure your hole is straight and level

Leave the plug hanging out of the wall a couple of mm to make it easy

to remove later

Vacuum out the dust in the hole rather than blowing it

Halve distance from edge of wall minus half distance between ‘D’ rings

Height of picture divide by two

minus distance from ‘D’ ring to

top of picture plus 1500 mm

1500 mm

centre line

Height of picture divide by two minus distance from ‘D’ ring to top of picture plus 1500 mm

Floorline

Distance between ‘D’ rings

Halve distance from edge of wall for wire

hang

Height of picture, divide by two

minus distance from wire ring to top of picture

plus 1500 mm

4

Plasterboard / cement fibre /wood panel walls

Depending on the weight of a picture, I use either chipboard screws

directly into the wall for lighter works, and for heavier works in

plasterboard, these wonderful WallMate™ Plasterboard Anchors, which

come in different packs depending on the weight load.

TIPS:

Check for wall studs prior to drilling as you can use a straight screw

without the WallMate™ if there is a wood stud behind the plasterboard

Screws can be very gently tapped with a hammer in any direction a mm or

so if your placement is not spot on

CLEANING AND CARE

Regular inspection and correct cleaning of artworks can save them from

accidental damage caused by mould, insects, high or low humidity and

high light levels.

Use a soft, wide hake brush to regularly remove dust from front and back

of frames, paintings and glass.

When cleaning glass and Perspex, do not spray directly onto the glazing,

always spray onto a soft microfiber cloth before wiping.

If your work is damaged by insects, mould, time, the environment or

accidental causes, call a conservator.

Cash Brown & Co. Fine art conservation and collection management

Based on the Mornington Peninsular, Cash & Co. now offer a range of services dedicated to the presentation and care of fine art.

With over 15 years of experience working with museums and galleries nationally and internationally, Cash and her team can professionally install artworks in domestic, corporate and museum environments.

Moving? Let us uninstall, pack, arrange professional transport and correct storage, unpack and reinstall your collection to museum standards.

Building? Consult with us on environmental parameters and the latest technical advice on creating the ideal home for your collection.

Need advice on collecting? Cash is also an experienced art consultant, with a diverse range of contacts throughout the commercial gallery and secondary market sector nationally and internationally.

Damaged artwork? Our conservation services can restore paintings at our Mornington Peninsular studio, or perform remedial treatments on larger works on site. Pickup and delivery service is available.

Before treatment After treatment

M: 0411132490 E: cashbrown@iinet.net.au

W: cashbrownandco.net