Blog Post #1 | Artists in Society

Sept 19th

It was the first day I worked at WAAP, after meeting Wil a week earlier. I felt a bit intimidating to work alone especially in my first day of work, my supervisor wasn’t there with me. However I understand that Wil was super busy at that moment. Luckily Wil sent me a really detailed instruction of the work I need to complete at the gallery and a list of supplies I need to get. He told the a specific packing store located close to WAAP and I gathered a huge role of bubble wrap, card box and some tapes there. When I arrived at the gallery, there was a huge crate waiting for me to fill it in with art works. It was going to Toronto next week via Fedex for the art fair.

I start bubble wrapping some art works left at the gallery. Here is something I learnt from Wil about packaging art works:

Bubble wrapping is meant to protect the edges and particularly the corners of the frame from denting
When wrapping paintings, ensure the bubbles are on the OUTSIDE, as pressure of bubbles on the inside may make an impression on the surface of paintings, creating a pattern.
When transporting glass, the glass could break in transit (plexi would not however). If it breaks, the work inside the frame may get damaged. To prevent this, use PAINTERS TAPE (no other kind because their adhesive doesn’t come off easily) to tape an ‘X’ in front of the frame, so that if the glass shatters, there isn’t impact on the work inside.
When the work is large, cardboard may be a better option than bubble wrap as it’s easier to handle and cardboard protects edges well. Sheets placed in between frames will prevent the works from scratching each other when placed and removed from the crate
Packing tape (clear box tape) is very strong and doesn’t rip easily and hard to see where it starts, so it’s really nice to create a folded tab for the person opening the work.

With the knowledge from Wil, I finished packaging earlier and placed them into the huge crate.

Wil also asked me to go through artist Kim Kennedy Austin’s works and choose 5 perler beads and 5 scratch art pieces that resonate most with me and what I think are the most saleable at the art fair. I also did a little installation mockup. Wil came back to the gallery as soon as he finished work and just to check on me. He helped me pick up the works and clean up.

Wil is a really busy person, but he devolved so much time giving me instruction in the emails just to get me familiarized with my works. I felt really grateful.