If you are an art enthusiast who owns various pieces or art, you would know that maintenance of artwork in art galleries might not be the easiest task. However, as long as you take the right steps to taking care of artwork, you should be able to manage mold in art galleries. This article will give you some information about how mold affects art and the steps we can take to prevent them.
How Does Mold Affect Art?
Mold broadly refers to a large range of fungal species that may or may not be harmful to our health. However, one thing in common between the different species is that they are all considered to be parasites. This means that they will feed on their host before multiplying. In the case of art galleries, when there has been a mold infestation, there is a higher risk of mold damage to artwork because the mold will affect the appearance of the art. This is especially so when the medium that is being used is a textile made of natural fibers. The natural fibers absorb high levels of moisture that encourage the growth of mold. As we all know, once the appearance and quality of an art piece is damaged, the value of it will decrease as well.
Prevention
Just like diseases, prevention is always better than cure. In order to reduce the chances of a mold infestation, it is important that you take into account the factors that contribute to mold growth. This includes the lighting, humidity levels and temperature. Bear in mind that mold favors high humidity, warm temperatures, as well as low light. Therefore, you should consider all these things and make necessary adjustments for your art gallery according to the current weather and temperature. If you suspect or are worried about a mold infestation in your art gallery, or if you are wary of mold exposure, it is always wise to hire a skilled professional to do a mold inspection by taking samples and sending them to the laboratory.
What You Can Do
In order to lower the risks of mold growth, you should definitely not place artwork in damp rooms or in close proximity to water sources such as toilets and sinks. Furthermore, you should always avoid placing artwork directly above heating equipment or electric equipment. Some examples include heaters and radiators.
You should also try to place the art in ventilated locations. This is because high humidity with low ventilation is a recipe for disaster when it comes to mold growth. As such, art gallery curators or owners should always thoroughly check the artwork for any signs of mold growing. In order to manage the level of humidity in the art gallery, you can install a humidifier or dehumidifier depending on the initial level.
Deterioration of Artwork
Similar to any belonging, the only way to prolong its lifespan is to take conscientious care of it. By ensuring that artwork is not affected by mold, you can increase the chances of it standing the test of time. Of course, some things are out of control, such as the materials that were used in creating the art, or the quality of the paint that was used by the artist. However, it is more common that artwork deteriorates as a result of poor housing and improper storage. Thus, it is crucial that we observe the right environment for storing artwork.