Art Making and Exhibiting Key terms

Material

The physical substances used to make an artwork (e.g., paint, clay, fabric, ink).

Technique

The specific way materials are handled or applied in art making to achieve particular effects.

Art Elements

The building blocks of visual language: line, colour, tone, texture, shape, form, sound, light, and time.

Art Principles

The rules or ways art elements are arranged: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, repetition/pattern, rhythm, scale, space, and unity/variety.

Aesthetic Qualities

The visual and sensory qualities that evoke particular feelings or moods in the viewer.

Visual Language

The way artists use art elements and principles to communicate ideas and meaning visually.

Subject Matter

The visual or narrative content of an artwork — what it depicts or represents.

Style

The distinctive way an artist uses materials and visual language, shaped by personal, cultural, and historical influences.

Art Forms

Categories of art making such as painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, printmaking, drawing, or performance.

Line

A continuous mark that defines edges, shapes, or movement; can vary in thickness, direction, or rhythm.

Colour

Produced when light reflects off a surface; includes hue, saturation, and brightness; can convey mood or symbolism.

Tone

The degree of lightness or darkness in an artwork; used to create depth, contrast, and form.

Texture

The surface quality of an artwork — how it feels or appears to feel (rough, smooth, soft, etc.).

Shape

A two-dimensional area defined by edges or boundaries; can be geometric or organic.

Form

A three-dimensional shape that has depth, volume, and mass.

Sound

The auditory element of an artwork; may be recorded, found, or produced by movement.

Light

The use or representation of illumination to define form, highlight features, or create mood.

Time

The perception or representation of movement, duration, or change over time within an artwork. Art that is temporary can be described as ephemeral.

Balance

The distribution of visual weight in an artwork to create harmony or stability.

Contrast

The difference between elements (light/dark, rough/smooth, large/small) to create visual interest or tension.

Emphasis (Focal Point)

The area of an artwork that draws the viewer's attention through dominance or focus.

Movement

The sense of action or direction that leads the viewer's eye through an artwork.

Proportion

The relationship of size between parts of an artwork or between an object and its surroundings.

Repetition (Pattern)

The repeated use of visual elements to create rhythm or unity.

Rhythm

A visual tempo or beat created through repeated elements or variations.

Scale

The size of an object or artwork in relation to other objects or its environment.

Space

The area within, around, or between objects in an artwork; can be positive or negative, shallow or deep.

Unity (Variety)

The sense of cohesion achieved when elements work together; variety prevents monotony.

Transporting Artworks

Art technicians inspect, condition report and de-install the piece.

Using clean cotton or powder free nitrile gloves when handling to avoid fingerprints

Secure artworks in padded crates (archival padding) or acid-free wrapping (made from Tyvek or Mylar)

Keep upright; avoid vibration, shock, and extreme temperature/humidity fluctuations.

Accompany work by art handlers during transport, have trackers on particularly valuable works.

Condition Report

A document completed before and after transport that records the artwork's state to detect damage or changes.

Handling Equipment

Trolleys, pallet jacks, or lifting aids used to safely move heavy or fragile artworks.

Protective Packaging

Acid-free materials like Tyvek or Mylar, bubble wrap (non-PVC), glassine paper, solander boxes, archival padding and custom crates designed to fit the artwork snugly.

Transport Environment

Vehicles should be climate-controlled, clean, and secure with stable temperature and humidity.

Preservation

Preventing damage through controlled environmental conditions, correct storage, and careful handling.

Storage Conditions

Artworks stored flat or vertically (depending on medium) in acid-free folders, solander boxes, or storage racks. Keep away from light, pests, and dust. Temperature and humidity should also be controlled.

Pest Management

Monitoring and controlling insects and rodents to prevent damage to organic materials.

Regular Inspections

Routine checks for mould, discolouration, and structural damage.

Archival Materials

Acid-free paper, mylar sleeves, and buffered tissue used to prevent deterioration.

Temperature Control

Ideal stable temperature for most artworks is 20±2°C. Avoid fluctuations greater than ±2°C per day.

Humidity Control

Relative humidity (RH) should be kept between 50±4%. Avoid sudden changes that can cause warping, cracking, or mould. Can be controlled by humidifiers, dehumidifiers, hygrothermostat or positioning works away from doorways/entrances which often fluctuate in smaller budget exhibits.

Lighting Control

Limit light exposure to prevent fading and deterioration; use low UV, LED, or filtered lighting.

UV Protection

Use UV-filtered glass or perspex to reduce damage from sunlight and artificial light. UV should always be below 75 µW/lm (microwatts per lumen) preferably 30 µW/lm

Light Levels for Different Materials

Oil paintings: up to 250 lux; watercolours, drawings, prints, textiles, photographs and plastics: 50 lux or below; sculpture, metal, ceramics: up to 300 lux.

Physical Damage

Caused by improper handling, impact, or vibration; can result in tears, cracks, dents, or deformation of artworks.

Abrasion

Scratching or rubbing that removes surface layers of paint, paper, or pigment due to friction or rough contact.

Tears and Breakage

Occur when artworks are dropped, bent, or stressed; common in fragile or brittle materials like paper and ceramics.

Warping

Distortion caused by uneven humidity or temperature changes, often affecting wood, canvas, or paper supports.

Cracking (Craquelure)

Small cracks in paint or varnish layers due to drying, aging, or environmental fluctuation.

Vibrancy loss (fading)

Loss of colour intensity due to overexposure to light, especially UV radiation.

Discolouration

Yellowing or darkening caused by oxidation, pollutants, or chemical reactions over time.

Mould and Mildew

Biological growth from high humidity or poor ventilation; causes staining, odour, and structural weakness.

Pest Damage

Insects like silverfish, beetles, or moths consume organic materials (paper, textiles, wood).

Corrosion

Metal surfaces reacting with moisture or pollutants, leading to rust, tarnish, or pitting.

Blooming

Cloudy film or hazy appearance on varnish, resin, or plastic due to moisture condensation.

Delamination

Separation of layers (e.g., paint from canvas or paper layers) due to humidity or poor adhesion.

Brittleness

Loss of flexibility in materials like paper, film, or textiles caused by aging, dryness, or acidic environments.

Dust and Dirt Accumulation

Particles settling on surfaces, dulling colours and attracting moisture or insects.

Fingerprints and Oils

Skin oils and sweat can stain or degrade delicate surfaces like photographs or metal.

Water Damage

Staining, swelling, and pigment bleeding caused by leaks, floods, or condensation.

Smoke and Pollution Damage

Airborne particles and chemicals can cause surface deposits, yellowing, or corrosion.

Vibration Damage

Continuous minor movements (during transport or display near traffic/construction) leading to cracking or detachment of paint.

UV and Light Damage

Breakdown of pigments and organic materials, resulting in fading, bleaching, and structural weakening.

Patina

A thin surface layer that develops naturally or intentionally on materials (such as metal, stone, or wood) due to oxidation, aging, or chemical treatment.

Conservation Ethics

Principles guiding preservation decisions to ensure artworks are cared for respectfully and responsibly.

Minimal Intervention

Conservators aim to make the smallest necessary changes to preserve an artwork's integrity and authenticity.

Reversibility

Any treatment applied should be removable or reversible, allowing future conservators to undo it without harm.

Documentation/condition reporting

All conservation actions, materials, and observations must be recorded in detail for transparency and future reference.

Respect for Artist's Intent

Conservation should maintain the artist's original vision, materials, and aesthetic choices wherever possible.

Preventive Conservation

Focuses on controlling environmental factors and handling to avoid the need for invasive treatments.

Restoration

The process of returning an artwork to a known earlier state, typically to improve its appearance or stability.

Conservation vs. Restoration

Conservation prevents further damage; restoration aims to visually return the work to a previous state.

Authenticity

Maintaining the genuine, original character of the artwork without falsifying its history or materials.

Visual Analysis - Structure

Identify key visual features → Describe features using visual language → Analyse how they create aesthetic qualities → Interpret meaning or mood.

Exhibition Design - Structure

Identify exhibition space/purpose → Explain design considerations (placement, lighting, spacing) → Analyse how layout supports meaning/viewer experience → Evaluate impact on audience.

Conservation & Preservation - Structure

Identify material type and risks → Explain preservation methods (RH, temperature, lighting) → Justify suitability → Evaluate consequences if not applied.

Placement & Layout

Artworks are positioned for optimal viewing, often grouped by theme or series. Centre of artwork usually placed at approximately 145-150 cm from floor for average adult sightlines.

Track Lighting

A flexible lighting system with adjustable spotlights to highlight artworks, control shadows, and focus attention on key elements.

Spacing

Ensuring adequate space around each artwork to allow viewers to engage comfortably and to use negative space intentionally for emphasis.

Mounting & Framing

Securing works with appropriate hardware; using archival-quality frames or mounts to protect and present artworks safely.

Vitrines

Glass display cases used to protect delicate or three-dimensional artworks from dust, handling, and environmental damage.

Environmental Control

Maintaining stable temperature, humidity, and air quality to protect artworks; controlling visitor access for fragile pieces.

Interpretation & Labelling

Providing wall texts, labels, and digital guides with artist, title, medium, and concept information to enhance understanding.

Interactive & Immersive Displays

Using screens, projections, or tactile elements; designing spaces that encourage movement, reflection, or engagement with artworks.

Safety & Security

Using barriers, alarms, or monitoring systems for high-value or fragile artworks; signage guides visitor behaviour. Presence of security and invigilators around works guiding audience movements.

Accessibility

Ensuring pathways, labels, and interactive elements are accessible to all visitors, considering height, lighting, and mobility/vision needs.

Rotation & Conservation

Rotating artworks in and out of display to preserve sensitive materials; inspecting condition before and after exhibition.

Monochromatic

A palette using variations of a single hue, including different tones, tints, and shades, creating harmony and cohesion.

Analogous

A palette using colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel (e.g., blue, blue-green, green) for a harmonious and calming effect.

Complementary

A palette using colours opposite each other on the colour wheel (e.g., red & green, blue & orange) to create high contrast and visual tension.

Split-Complementary

A palette using one base colour and the two colours adjacent to its complement, offering contrast with less tension than complementary colours.

Triadic

A palette using three colours evenly spaced around the colour wheel (e.g., red, yellow, blue) for balanced vibrancy and harmony with variety.

Tetradic / Double-Complementary

A palette using two complementary colour pairs, offering rich contrast and variety, requiring careful balance.

Warm Palette

A palette of warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) evoking energy, warmth, and excitement.

Cool Palette

A palette of cool colours (blues, greens, purples) evoking calm, tranquility, or distance.

Neutral Palette

A palette of greys, browns, blacks, whites, and muted tones, creating subtlety, sophistication, or allowing other elements to dominate.

Custom / Personal Palette

A unique combination of colours tailored to the artist's intention, cultural reference, or conceptual goal.