large Aboriginal Canvas

[ChriSetlo]

Hi everybody,

I have a customer who brought in a large, Australian Aboriginal painting. He is interested in a way to temporarily hang it for display, and still be able to roll it for transport. It is very large (approx 50x50"). I would like to attach it to canvas straps and hang it from a dowel, but I can't stitch to it, as it is painted in acrylic, to the very edge of the canvas. If I stitch, I will pierce the paint film. My idea is to use either tm3, or an archival fabric adhesive to attach to canvas straps. Any better ideas would be much appreciated.

This piece is probably valuable, and I want to be as un-invasive as I can. He is currently using it for a lecture in local schools on aboriginal culture. Later he wants it to be float mounted and framed properly.
http://pages.prodigy.net/clsetlock/aborig2.JPG

[Greg Gomon]

I hate to be a party pooper but all My gut instincts say to stay away from this one. Key buzz words...Valuable piece.. temporary...rolled up and carrying around with him.. acrylic easily damaged.. and maybe someday wants to properly frame it. Did I miss some? Nightmare on frame street!

[Susan May]

OK, I may be totally lost, but, how do you float mount a 50x50 canvas? Also, what would it be float mounted on?

I recomend that you tell the customer that temporary work can cause problems, or damage. If they want it done, do it right the first time. (price would be less, not redoing work.)

------------------
Sue May :)
"Everyone is born right-handed, only the greatest can over come it!"

[ChriSetlo]

I tried to post a photo of the canvas in question, but it seems not to have worked. I'm trying again. Here goes nuthin...

http://www.pages.prodigy.net/clsetlock/aborig3.jpg

[ChriSetlo]

http://pages.prodigy.net/clsetlock/aborig3.jpg

grrr...

[Frank]

Art Conservator time! Sooner or later you're going to want to stretch this canvas and you're going to need some canvas on the edges in order to do this. Conservators do a thing I think is called edge lining where they attach strips of canvas around the edge of the painting using a special lining compound. The compound is wax based and uses a lower temperature than our mounting adhesives. I do not recommend trying tm3 as the acrylic paint can soften or shrink with heat and you might end up with a problem. Water based glues can cause the canvas to shrink then you're really having fun! This is one I would send to my favorite conservator and hope to get the framing later.