Looking after your Chip & Splinter Artwork
Care and correct handling of your artwork is important, yet also very simple and really no different from displaying a normal framed painting. It is always best to avoid displaying in areas where they may absorb a lot of UV rays, or become overly warm. Direct sunlight over a prolonged period is not ideal and should be avoided wherever possible.
The best way to enjoy looking at your art sculpture is to utilise a wall where it can benefit from non-direct, or side lighting, either natural, or artificial, or from both. Your art work is designed to capture both light and shade, and to subtly change the way it looks in different lighting conditions, like a 3-D painting.
It is worth pointing out that these art sculptures are not intended to be displayed out of doors under any circumstances, and would not necessarily fare so well in damp, humid or airless conditions either.
Chip & Splinter does not provide a warranty for any of it’s artworks and consequently cannot be held responsible for any incorrect handling or poor maintenance that may occur if adequate care is not applied. That said, the sculptures are sturdy and solid and really require very little, if any, maintenance – other than a careful light dusting from time to time. The material that the artworks are made from is resilient and very hard, but also fragile like a ceramic product is which means that a sharp knock with something, especially metallic, could conceivably damage the surface quite considerably. If dropped they will almost definitely suffer damage. Of course, if hanging securely on a wall, then this is never likely to happen.
Although tempting, it is not a good idea to physically touch any painted surface with your fingers, even though the paints and inks used are almost all acrylic. On no account should a wet cloth or anything damp be applied to the surface unless absolutely unavoidable, much like any original painting. If an accident occurs then please contact Chip & Splinter who will be able to advise and recommend.
If it is a non-painted sculpture that has a problem, there is a bit more leeway and a very clean slightly damp cloth may be carefully applied if a smudge or dirt mark appears. Gently wipe over the affected area until the dirt lifts. Dusting is best achieved with a soft powder make-up brush – which is provided free by Chip & Splinter with every sculpture purchased. Alternatively, a device such as a manual rubber pump air blower can be used, like those used for cleaning the lenses on SLR cameras.
Hanging your Artwork
The artworks are designed to hang against a wall exactly as a painting would be, at a slight angle, thus allowing some free passage of air to circulate. They are supplied with everything needed so they can be simply hung up on a securely fixed picture hook. (Recommended are the slightly larger type of hooks that use two nails in a row, rather than the usual one only, for optimal safety as some designs are quite heavy).
If the owner would rather attach the artwork flush to a wall using a single screw and appropriate rawl plug that is also perfectly achievable. When placing an order please remember to mention that this alternative method of hanging is required. The method entails a shallow hole being placed into the back, which is then capped over with a brass mirror plate, both for strength and aesthetic reasons. Neither method carries any extra cost. Either method, in real terms, is fine if the room where it is to be displayed is not overly damp or humid.