Quake-proof rings ensuring art works hang securely on walls

UPDATED: Takiya hook used on the storage racks. 07072015WCSUPHANG3

Paintings spend nearly all their time hanging around, whether it be on display in an exhibition or tucked away safe on a rack in a collection store.

In addition to being housed in a building that will hold strong in an earthquake, secure hanging systems are another important aspect of keeping an art collection safe.

The front of an artwork gets all the attention so it's unlikely you've had many thoughts about the fittings on the back that keep it on the wall or rack. As one of the Collection Transition Assistants responsible for moving the collection to Sarjeant on the Quay, it's something we have had to consider carefully.

There are many ways to hang a painting. With a collection as old and diverse as the Sarjeant Gallery's we have come across examples of a wide variety, as you can see in the photo.

The majority of collection works were previously hung with black plastic marine cleats and metal 'S' shaped hooks. This was the New Zealand industry standard for decades and you will still find them on the back of many works in collection stores around the country. The trouble with marine cleats is the plastic can tear when force is exerted against it, as discovered in the Christchurch earthquakes. There is also nothing to prevent the metal 'S' hook from jumping out of the cleat or off the rack. This hanging method can also be a problem in daily use when lifting a painting off the rack as the 'S' hooks can potentially drop onto the paintings below.

It is best practice to move or handle an art collection as little as possible because it's at most risk every time you do. So when we were preparing the paintings for transport to their temporary home on new racks at Sarjeant on the Quay, we took the opportunity to update the hanging systems on all the paintings as part of the process. We attached the latest and best solution available which was the stronger better designed 'D' rings made by Japanese company, Takiya. Because we are in an earthquake prone country Takiya gave us a discounted price, free shipping and also engraved the largest-size 'D' rings with the Sarjeant's name. Instead of the 'S' hook, the works now hang on racks via a hook that has a carabiner type clip at each end which completely eliminates the risk of the painting falling off the racks in an earthquake.

Updating the hanging systems for the entire painting collection was an opportunity most other institutions haven't the resources or opportunity to do. It is an important step that a significant and important collection like the Sarjeant's deserves.