Handy tips for artists on being exhibition ready in talk

Rotorua Museum preparator, Natascha Hartzuiker, unwrapping artwork in December 2016. Photo/Supplied

Artists can learn some handy tips from a couple of industry professionals about the desirable state for their work to be in when delivering it to a gallery for exhibition.

Rotorua Museum's exhibition team will give a free talk at The Arts Village on Wednesday.

The talk will cover technical things such as the off gassing of work, the practicalities of hanging work using a variety of systems, and providing advice on packaging and protecting fragile artworks during transport.

Sue Skellern and Natascha Hartzuiker are part of the Rotorua Museum exhibitions team that oversee the design and installation of shows in various locations.

As artists and exhibitors themselves, they are in the unique position to offer guidance on integrating hanging systems into the creation of an artist's work, as well as knowing the way to display an artwork to the greatest advantage.

Over the years, the Museum exhibition installation team has seen some of the best and some of the worst hanging systems used on artworks and hope to guide artists around the most appropriate systems for each piece.

They will cover museum standards and sample a few past exhibitions to highlight differing display techniques.

<i>Pick & Mix</i> exhibition at Rotorua Museum, October 2014 - May 2015. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua Museum events and engagement co-ordinator Tori Williams says it will be an informative talk that will give artists great tips about preparing their artworks to hang in exhibitions and galleries.

This is the first time Rotorua Museum has hosted a talk like this.

She says the concept followed this year's Rotorua Museum Art Awards, where the Museum Exhibition team worked with hundreds of art entries of all shapes and sizes.

"While some of these works came perfectly packaged for transport and with suitable hanging systems, many could have used some guidance.

"This talk hopes to offer some simple tips for artists to consider while they create their artwork which will make it safer to hang and ensure it is displayed to its best advantage.

"It is a great opportunity for the Museum team to share their expert knowledge with the community."

For more information contact the Rotorua Museum on (07) 351 8055 or email tori.williams@rotorualc.nz.