Mounting a tree bark map...Help!!

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Pframe

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Jul 24, 2008
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Palmerton, PA
I recently took in a map made from tree bark. My customers purchased it in Figi while on vacation. They were at a small village where the "Natives" stripped the bark from the tree, pounded it into a very heavy "paper" and then mixed up the paints from indiginous plants. The piece has a very coarse texture, it kind of reminds me of a very heavy rag paper. I informed them that for me to mount it so it stayed flat, I would probably have to glue it permanently to the mounting board. They were fine with this, the piece is not expensive and the only real value is intrinsic. Has anyone actually done this in the past and if so what did you do to mount it?

FYI, I recently float mounted a print for this customer where I drymounted it directly onto a colored matboard. The top mat was then mounted on some foam board so it "floated" over the print, giving it some depth...this is the same procedure that they have chosen for this project.

I was think of using the super 77 spray glue for this, due to its porous properties. However I hesitate using it for those very same reasons, I could really use some advise on this one.

Cheers,
David
:beer:
 
What you're referring to is called Tapa cloth. :)

Why does it have to be flat? Personally I love, love, love the texture of those things and love showing the edges and tend to pedestal float them. The texture is part of the character and shows some of the process of the piece. :)
 
Well, it doesn't have to be flat really. What exactly is the procedure that you have used? Like I said, I have never worked with this material before and you are right, having the natural curls and waves in the material will definately add to the piece. Any help would be appreciated.
David
 
Rice or wheat starch paste and either cotton or mulberry paper hinges.

I'd use wrapped T-hinges for the pedestal float. :)
 
hinge to backer(many places), cover mao with plexi and those brass standoffs 1/4 - 3/8 off the deck(to keep it reasonably flat-its gonna curl i bet, AND this lets you show the edges), maybe add a couple of semigloss pix of them from the trip with a little caption saying spring 2008 FIGI island, then box it all in something 'woody'?
 
mounting tree bark paper

We work with a Mexican artist who creates a similar material known to Mexicans and other south americans as papel or papel amate.

We mount to 4 ply mat with ez attach 1/8 and color them to match the art work. just did one that is 60x24 inches....very easy
 
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