Float mounting bark paintings

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CAframer

CAframer

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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I have three paintings to float mount - all three are painted on very thin, flexible bark. Each piece is approximately 30" x 10". The bark is reasonably flat but not perfectly so.

I am looking for advice as to the best technique for float hinging them.

Will linen tape with water soluble adhesive work? Do I need to consider a different glue? If so what do you suggest?

Thanks for your help.
 
Personally, I'm not a big fan of linen tape. The adhesive is very aggressive and hard to remove from the art. My first choice would be wheat starch paste or a thick methylcellulose adhesive, and Japanese paper hinges, threaded through slots in the backboard. I'm sure others will share their own ideas too.

Rebecca
 
There was another thread on this not long ago, you can probably find it with a brief search.

The problem with bark is that the fibers can separate under tension, such as when float mounted. It is important to support the bark sheets over as much area as possible. A rough backing, such as suede mat can provide some friction which will help.

If you can smash them up against the backing with museum glass, you'll get your best results. Cut enough of a hole in the fomebord (or whatever) backing to put a packet of silica gel in the package before sealing it up, to keep moisture from sticking the paint to the glass.
 
Hi!
This is my first day in the grumble, but I had to reply to this question.
If the bark painting are only decorative and
not of value...I drymounted bark and cork painting before (with premission of customer)
I used less pressure on the press and a long
time in the press. I always use release paper.
I still framed the pieces with spacers between mat and glass
 
Bark painting mounts

Hi

I am new to this forum but I can tell you that all of the suggested mounting methods are wrong. It will harm the material and it is also showing a lack of respect to the creator.

Here in Australia we have developed a sustainable way of mounting aboriginal bark paintings the proper way. You can find this information here

It is the right way to display bark paintings from Australia

Cheers

Qua Patet Orbis
 
Are these paintings 'touristy' things, or something more significant? I see a few paintings on woven bark fibre that come from Egypt. In the same ilk as the more familiar papyrus paintings. These things are purely decorative and of little value.
Austrailian aboriginal bark paintings are a whole different proposition. Thanks for the link QPO. I think I may have one of these paintings heading my way shortly.;)
 
If the surface ply of the back mat is taken off, under the area where the bark will sit, it would be possible to have the advantage of a nappy surface (that was mentioned) and tissue and starch paste hinges could still be used.



Hugh
 
QPO said:
Hi

I am new to this forum but I can tell you that all of the suggested mounting methods are wrong. It will harm the material and it is also showing a lack of respect to the creator.

Here in Australia we have developed a sustainable way of mounting aboriginal bark paintings the proper way. You can find this information here

It is the right way to display bark paintings from Australia

Cheers

Qua Patet Orbis
Click to expand...
I think the bark paintings in question are more of the type from Native Americans. They are painted on paper-thin bark which would be inappropriate for the aluminum framework in the article. Nevertheless, Welcome to the Grumble, and I'm going to tuck that article into my files for when I DO get some Aussie Aboriginal art!
 
bark painting

I see where you are coming from however bark painting is recognised to be an Australian Aboriginal art-form which is done on the interior strip of a tree bark.

This art form, which is between the 30.000 and 50.000 yo, is a continuing form of artistic expression in Arnhem Land and other regions in the Top End of Australia including parts of the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Traditionally, bark paintings were produced for instructional and ceremonial purposes and were transient objects.

The material of choice is the bark from Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta). The bark chosen must be free of knots and other blemishes. It is best cut from the tree in the wet season when the sap is rising.

Two horizontal slices and a single vertical slice are made into the tree, and the bark is then carefully peeled off with the aid of a sharpened tool.

Only the inner smooth bark is kept and placed in a fire. After heating in the fire, the bark is flattened under foot and weighted with stones or logs to dry flat. The 'canvas' is then ready to paint upon.

The only other "bark painting" I know of is the Mexican bark painting on paper made from bark.

This bark paper or papal amate, is produced by hand using bark from the mulberry or fig trees.

The bark is washed, boiled and laid in lines on a wooden board. The fibers are then beaten with stone until they fuse together. In a way it resembles papyrus paper from Egypt or the palm leave paper from India.

But the only recognised art-form known as Bark Painting is the Australian Aboriginal form.

I can see how easy it is to confuse terms within the world of (native) art. And I am talking about real, significant art not the 'touristy' things.
 
QPO said:
I am new to this forum but I can tell you that all of the suggested mounting methods are wrong. It will harm the material and it is also showing a lack of respect to the creator.
Click to expand...
QPO,
In Andrew's original question he said "all three are painted on very thin, flexible bark". The method on the site you promoted is fine for bark that is thick and relatively inflexible, but would not be suitable for Andrew's pieces. In fact the method that you are advocating would be wrong for his pieces.

I have no doubt in my mind that Andrew has no intention of showing disrespect to the creator of the artwork and I'm sure that applies to most framers on this forum.

QPO said:
But the only recognised art-form known as Bark Painting is the Australian Aboriginal form.
Click to expand...
Recognised by whom???
Actually, I don't think anyone here used the term 'bark painting' as anything else other than a description!

Thank you for posting the instructions for mounting thick bark paintings. I'm sure most of us will be able to use that method if we ever have any bark paintings of that nature to frame!
 
Sounds like bark paintings are a special interest of yours QPO. There is an interesting story here? Tell us more about yourself!

Best,

Rebecca
 
It never ceases to amaze me how old threads resurface! The original question was in 2004, a veritable lifetime ago! If memory serves me right we hinge mounted them with Japanese paper and wheat starch. Also if memory serves me right these were not Australian.
 
Rebecca said:
Sounds like bark paintings are a special interest of yours QPO. There is an interesting story here? Tell us more about yourself!

Best,

Rebecca
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you, Rebecca, this lad/lassie?? may be a student at the University of South Australia, or a professor of Archeology there, or some position in between but it is quite obvious that he/she has devoted a bit of time to researching this issue. Whether it be for his/her educational requirements or his/her educational background as a professor remains to be seen.

I too would like to hear the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say. How did you come by this wealth of information, QPO?? Are you doing a paper for a class, are teaching a class in this subject?? You have piqued alot of curiosity with your resurrection of a 4 year old thread about a subject that is rather obscure in the annals of professional picture framing.
 
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