How to hang Fine Art

How to Hang a Fine Art Exhibition

When presenting art paintings to a public or private audience, every detail matters. Presentation is the key to interpretation when it comes to fine art collection, and every choice you make from the lighting and spacing to the grouping of different paintings is going to have an impact on the impressions and interpretations of your work. Creating an art show is about a number of different outside factors coming together to showcase your work.
 

One thing that many artists neglect is the impact of psychology on art. Basic psychology has a profound impact on art interpretation, with darker colors and lighting bringing out a more gloomy or somber feel and bright colors and lighting creating a happier or more uplifting emotion. This can be used during a showing to help decide where to hang certain pieces and how to light them.
Your choices when lighting fine art directly impact how viewers will understand each piece.

When hanging a show, pieces will typically hang so that the focal point of the paintings is at average eye level. This will create a uniform appearance and allow viewers to see each piece naturally, allowing the eye to focus on the work without strain or the conscious need to look up or down. This allows for a more subconscious interpretation of the work, making it easier for the viewer to see the emotion behind the brush strokes.

Grouping paintings with similar themes may prove beneficial when wanting viewers to feel the impact of a particular collection. Grouping is important when there are multiple collections on display and when determining the range of emotions desired of viewers. Proper placement of each piece can ensure that viewers interpret the collection as it was intended and in a specific order, encouraging them to feel the emotions of a collection in the order that makes its interpretation the most impactful. It is also quite beneficial when the individual pieces of the collection combine to tell a story on either a noticeable or subconscious level, as viewing the images in order can help the viewer to piece together the artist's intention.
 

In short, every detail of hanging a show is important. When presenting art paintings, much attention must be paid to every minute detail in order for the impact of the collection and the individual pieces to be felt fully. From the lighting to the height of each piece, the tiniest details can have a profound impact on the subconscious interpretations and emotions of the viewer and should be used to help showcase the artist and their vision. When properly utilized, every aspect of a fine art gallery can play into the presentation of a collection. By grouping paintings with similar themes and placing them in an order that tells a story or presents the viewer with contrasting or conflicting emotions, the artist can leave a powerful impact on all who view the collection. Art is subjective and open to interpretation, but with proper presentation, it should be much easier for viewers to gather the same interpretation intended by the artist.