Bark on fabric

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Susan May

Susan May

PFG, Picture Framing God
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moved to Clermont, Florida
The problem is simple, my customer was given a gift a few years ago, and now she wants to frame it.

The artwork was made in Africa, and it is thin wood, or bark, cut in designs, and attached to black fabric. It is reminiscent of wood inlay, except that it is on fabric instead of a hard surface. The wood is also so thin that it looks almost like papyrus.

It has been rolled up in a tube for about three years.

So, now my question... how would you mount this to make it looks flat? (I was thinking of mounting it like a stitchery, but the wood would still have waves, like an old diploma. OR, I could use Vacu-glue, but I don't know what it might do to the art work, as I don't know how the wood was attached in the first place.)

Suggestions?
Sue
 
Sue, I think the wood is really banana leaves. I have seen these before, and you are actually lucky that it has not been "mounted" in the usual fashion, ie, glued around the edges and stretched to thin really crappy cardboard. I would think that "stretching" it onto acid-free foam with those elusive stainless steel pins would do the trick. The leaves are usually glued to the fabric pretty fast, so I would not foresee any problem there.
And on the subject of stainless steel pins, wouldn't it be nice if UNITED MFRS. would be so kind as to start carrying them? Hint, hint, hint...
Also, like with ripply watercolors, I mention to the customer about this being "real" artwork, handmade, one-of-a-kind, as opposed to a print that could be mounted to stay flat. It works like a charm!
Good luck!
 
Sue, these where very popular wall decorations in the 50s, they went very well with the ceramic black panther that was also very much in vogue in middle American homes back then.

I'm just guessing but, I think I would be more inclined to mount it on acid free 8 ply using Yes paste. I would not put it in a press. If it will not lay flat in the Yes paste I would put moderate weights on it till it lays flat. Pieces of glass would be my choice.

John
 
Sue,

Do NOT, under any circumstances, apply any heat to these things (not that you would ever do such a thing.)

I once knew a foolish young framer who drymounted one of these and the "image" (such as it was) disappeared almost completely. That framer has since gotten a lot older and a little smarter.

(Why can't we get a little older and a lot smarter?)

Ron
 
Thanks, guys! I knew the answer all along, but it is nice to know that what I already knew was right. (I would never put something like this in the heat press, Vacu-glue only uses the vacume, no heat.) I guess I will mount them like stitcheries, and tell the lady that it will continue to have slight ripples, but at least they will be mounted.

Thanks again.
Sue
 
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