As an artist, you pour your creativity, time, and passion into creating unique pieces of art. Your artwork reflects your artistic vision, skill, and experiences, making it a valuable part of your legacy. However, the process of creating art does not end with finishing a piece. It's crucial to protect your artwork from various environmental factors, such as heat, light, moisture, pests, and human error, to ensure that it stays in good condition for years to come.
The best way to safeguard your artwork is to archive it. Archiving means collecting and organising information, documents, photographs, and other media related to your artwork, with the purpose of preserving it for posterity. Archiving your artwork has many benefits, including:
1. Preserving your artistic legacy
Your artwork is an expression of your creative identity and the unique perspective you bring to the world. Archiving your artwork ensures that your art will continue to be accessible and appreciated by future generations, even after you're no longer around. By preserving your artistic legacy, you'll be contributing to the cultural heritage of humanity and leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
2. Protecting your artwork
Artwork is vulnerable to many risks, such as environmental factors, theft, loss, or damage during transportation. Archiving your artwork helps protect it from these risks by creating a detailed record of each piece, its condition, and its location. This information can be used to track the artwork's movement, condition, and ownership, making it easier to recover or claim if lost or stolen.
3. Enhancing your professional image
As an artist, you may need to showcase your artwork to potential clients, galleries, or museums. Having a well-organised archive of your artwork can help you present your work professionally and efficiently. You can easily access information about your pieces, such as their titles, dates, dimensions, or medium, and provide high-quality images or prints. This can save you time, reduce stress, and increase your chances of success.
So, how can you archive your artwork effectively? Here are some tips and resources to help you get started:
4. Document your artwork thoroughly
The first step in archiving your artwork is to document it thoroughly. Take high-quality photographs or scans of each piece and store them digitally. Be sure to include the artwork's title, date, medium, dimensions, and any other relevant information, such as provenance or condition reports.
5. Organise your artwork logically
Organise your artwork in a way that makes sense to you. You can categorise it by date, medium, subject matter, or any other criteria that you find helpful. Create a spreadsheet or database to keep track of each piece's location, condition, and any other relevant details. Label your storage boxes or folders clearly with the artwork's title, date, and medium.
6. Store your artwork properly
Store your artwork in a safe and secure location. Ideally, you should store it in a climate-controlled environment, such as a museum or professional storage facility, with low humidity, minimal light exposure, and regulated temperature. Use acid-free, archival-quality materials to store your artwork, such as acid-free sleeves or boxes, to prevent deterioration or discolouration. If you're storing your artwork at home, make sure to choose a suitable location, such as a closet or basement, away from direct sunlight, humidity, or temperature fluctuations.
7. Back up your digital files regularly
Back up your digital files regularly to ensure that you don't lose them. Use a cloud-based storage service or an external hard drive to store your digital files, and keep multiple copies in different locations, such as a friend's house or a bank safe deposit box, in case of a disaster.
In addition to these tips, there are many resources available online to help.
Artnet - Artnet is a platform that offers a range of art services, including a database of over 12 million auction results, art market news, and an online gallery. It also provides a free tool called Artnet AGORA, which allows artists to create a digital archive of their artwork and connect with collectors and galleries.
Artwork Archive - Artwork Archive is an online platform designed to help artists manage their artwork inventory, sales, and contacts. It offers a range of features, such as artwork cataloging, portfolio management, online sales, and consignment tracking. The platform also provides a free trial, and pricing starts at $7/month.
Artsy - Artsy is an online art marketplace that offers a range of services, including an online gallery, art education resources, and an archive of over 1 million artworks from leading galleries, museums, and artists. Artists can create a free profile on Artsy and upload their artwork to gain exposure to a global audience.
The Art Genome Project - The Art Genome Project is a comprehensive art classification system developed by Artsy that analyses artworks based on over 1,000 distinct characteristics, such as medium, style, subject matter, and colour. It offers a useful tool for artists to research and discover artworks, and also allows artists to add their own artwork to the platform.
Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) - FAPE is a nonprofit organisation that works to promote cultural diplomacy through the placement of contemporary American art in U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The organisation also offers a database of over 1,000 artworks in its collection, as well as resources for artists and collectors interested in art preservation and cultural diplomacy.
These archival websites can be valuable resources for artists looking to archive their artwork and gain exposure to a wider audience. By taking the time to organise and document your artwork, you can help ensure that your artistic legacy will be preserved for years to come.