A different approach to a shadowbox for an artist

[Framar]

My customer, Buffalo fiber/assemblage artist Dianne Baker, has been a friend and customer since forever. I collect things (I call them "obtanium") that I find here and there for her artworks (like interesting hunks of rusted metal, and she puts these together with her collection of stuff into interesting assemblages.

When she is able to, she tries to put her creations into found boxes, or we try to figure out a way to frame them and get them under glass.

She found two old wooden milk crates and they inspired her to create these two pieces. Which she wanted covered, but not framed.

After a bit of contemplation, I decided to add wooden risers into the corners of the boxes, cut plexi to fit into the openings, and after drilling appropriate holes in the plexi, fasten to the risers with decorative round-head brads. Notice that for the Little Red Hen box I used matching quarter-round risers, and for the Toy Box I used random and non-matching pieces of wood for the risers (to match the characteristics of the contents of the box). Risers were stained/painted to match the old wood of the milk boxes and attached with wood glue.

Of course these are not totally dust-proof (especially since there are cut-out handles in these milk boxes) but it the plexi as it is does give a degree of protection to the delicate fibers and tchotchke within.

Note: Little Red Hen needlework needlework in red "frame" is hanging loose and does move a bit inside the piece.

 

[Jim Miller]

That's a great idea, Mar. Use what'cha got!

It would be good to close up those handle openings, though. How about hand-trimming a piece of matboard (maybe black or matching brown?) to fit snugly into the oval openings and held with a spot or two of glue.

Mylar would be good for this, too, and probably easier to trim than the matboard; include tabs to bend over and tape into the handle openings. Glass would be a mess to trim and hold in place, but would have a good look.

 

[Framar]

The artist and I discussed the idea of covering the handle openings and she decided against it.

Can't argue with an artist.

 

[Ylva]

That looks awesome! Very different kind of art than most of us get in, but I like it. Must be a nice challenge every time she brings in a new piece.

I like the milk crates and the plexi helping protect the art.

 

[Framar]

Every once in a while she asks if I have any interesting discontinued corner samples and she'll attach a couple on the outside of her pieces.

I am in the process of training her not to sign on the absolute edge of her pieces. I made up a "Space for Spacer" sample of a strip of matboard glued to a strip of foamboard (adding up to 1/4" total depth) so she would know where to place both er signature and her collage/assemblage pieces along the edges of her art.