What’s in a frame?
What’s in a frame? A trip to Bark Frameworks reveals just how much is involved. Below is an image of a Christopher Wool work on paper, recently acquired by a client. The medium is ink on translucent rice paper.
Christopher Wool , One Monotype in Black on Suzuki, 1989; 37 x 24 inches
To choose the right frame, I consulted Jed Bark, owner of Bark Frameworks, my framer of choice for over 20 years. Jed is an artist, and also a craftsman. He creates frames that are equal in beauty to the art being framed, but Bark frames never claim center stage. Jed’s designs allow the art to be the main event.
Jed examines the work to be framed. Delicate rice paper hinges will be applied to the reverse of the art, shown above. The hinges will allow the art to float free within the frame, stabilized by an acid-free backmat.
We start by considering three painted wood options, but decide that these options are too flat. We agree that this simple stem profile, modern in feel, is appropriate for the work.
Next we consider three different shades of a waxed aluminum frame. The tone is right, but the frame is too heavy for the delicate rice paper.
Pale white gold over a black clay underground seems the perfect solution. The frame enhances the art, as opposed to matching it. This frame has restrained glamour, with just the right amount of subtle shine. The sides of the frame will remain natural maple to complement the handmade quality of the rice paper.
Bark’s master gilder lays down the white gold leaf in several layers, so that no seams interrupt the finish. After the frame is gilded, the face will be burnished to a soft glow.
A detail of the finished frame, with a perfect face of burnished white gold over black clay and waxed maple wood on the side. The maple’s warm tones complement the color of the rice paper, as does the warm, white backmat.
The finished framed work of art.
Photos 6, 7, 8 by Jennifer Clark, courtesy of Bark Frameworks.