AN ART INSTALLATION SPECIALIST GIVES US THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE

A few days ago I was helping a friend install some David Bailey prints in the newly opened Arlington restaurant, formerly Le Caprice. It occurred to me that installing prints an artwork can be an art unto itself. The restaurant looked amazing, I wish the owner Jeremy King all the luck in the world with it. My friend Trevor who is ArtyVan lent me a few insights into hanging art, either in your home, or your place of business. 

What do people get wrong when it comes to hanging art? 

Most people hang their paintings too high. You should hang your paintings in your eye line. The middle of the picture should sit in the eye line. It’s important with larger pictures to give them room so they don't sit too close to the ceiling or the edge of the door or fixtures and fittings. Also don't put smaller works of art around them. 

What are the tools you use for hanging art? Big art especially.

For the big pictures I use a laser level so you're not having to use a physical level. If it’s over a metre and a half long (wide) the laser level is brilliant. You can also get a hand laser so it’s a lot easier. I can't do without this. I still use a physical level after to make sure its level. 

Then you need the right drills for going into the wall. And different drill bits for plaster board walls. I have a drill that’s very powerful called SDS good for hard walls such as reinforced concrete walls. You often find basements have those and they are a nightmare. They've been tanked. 

Can you recommend any decent framers in London? 

Framers in London, there are so many. Some of the top end ones only work with the artists. Even if you have the money sometimes it takes months. Sometimes it’s just best finding the one local to you. East London is my favourite haunt, there's framers everywhere in East London . There is one called Brider and Bull. The framers there have worked at Darbyshire which I consider to be the best framers in London. 

What different kind of art sits well with each other? 

That's really up to you. Just don't try and hang art that's done by the same artist. I was in a cafe the other day and I noticed all the art on the wall, around 5-6 paintings were all done by the same artist. And it looked terrible. Have a few but don't go overkill. It can be different if you're trying to create an ambiance or a theme. For example when we put up the David Bailey prints in the new Arlington Restaurant. 

There are rules of convention and rules can be broken, but only if you do it in the right way. Arlington have done it well. The way they have spaced. It’s like men wearing nothing but Nike, or one logo throughout their outfit. Just looks tribal and tacky. 

Can you recommend and artists where you can get cheap prints? 

There are 100 of artists that are under the radar. Can you have famous prints that are quite cheap? There are ones that are signed and dated. You can get any images you like. Beyond Print for example, one of my best clients. You can send them a file with an image and they will frame your print. With art glass, really good quality frames. 

Article by Peter Brooker

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash