Corrugated Japanese Rice Paper-HELP!

[antprin]

I hope to maybe uncover a tip for a problem just discovered or maybe prevent it happening to others:
In my care are several Nature Prints of Fish brought back from Japan. They are pressed onto large sheets of Japanese Rice paper and were transported in a narrow cardboard cylinder with the artwork rolled on the inside. On viewing we observed Conservation-required procedure handling with cotton gloves and securing corners with weight bags. I then placed them in a hinged acid free fomecore folder awaiting framing material arrival. Upon assembling the rice paper had relaxed into a corrugation that I assume is due to the ink drying and tightening the paper beneath. I am puzzled with how to proceed and wondered if any framers have any advice regarding experience with like presentation issues. All original artwork is precious and these are stunning, yet have proved troublesome.
I wondered if climatic conditions have an impact on this process. They have come from what I assume is a humid environment into a cold yet dry temperate atmosphere. Any observations and advice would be greatly appreciated and hopefully prevent /solve other similar problems.

Sandra

 

[RParrish]

You need an Asian paper conservator, trained in dealing with rice paper.

 

[antprin]

Thank you Mr Parrish for that sound advice. We are lucky here in Adelaide to have a variety of conservator specialists. However, it proved most alarming and many would not have the ready access to an Asian artwork conservator and may attempt to remedy the problem themself. This kind of paper is so unforgiving that such thoughts are poison. I just thought my unfortunate discovery may prevent others falling for that fate. I am still waiting to see the conservator in question but "patience is a virtue".

 

[RParrish]

A friend of mine married a Taiwanese women and her Uncle a painter sent them a watercolor 20 x 39" painting on rice paper as a wedding gift, in a small envelope, fold up!

I am lucky to have a Asian paper conservator I work with at the local art museum, she flattened the paper and put a tradition silk brocade around the work. Amazingly you can not tell the painting was once fold so small it would fit in your back pocket!

 

[artfolio]

RParrish is dead right. This problem is best left to the experts. I have had similar problems with Japanese and Chinese calligraphy on rice paper. The ink is very thick and tends to contract as it dries leaving corrugations in the paper.

My paper conservator can sometimes get these looking acceptable and bonding tissue to the back helps keep them flat but sometimes mounting them down onto conservation grade matt card is the only permanent solution.

 

[framebots]

This is really no help to your question(though I think it's been answered), but I think the correct term is "handmade Asian paper". due mainly to the fact that the papers in question are usually made of hemp, mulberry, etc.

Just saying.