Bringing a work you love home is one of the best moments in collecting. From there, a few basic principles will keep it in good condition in your space for many years. This guide starts the moment your work arrives and covers unpacking, where to hang, light, humidity, frames, cleaning and storage. These are general care tips; if a work shows obvious damage, please leave it to a professional conservator.
When your work arrives: check first, then unpack
- Inspect the outer box on delivery for knocks, dents or damp.
- Record the whole unboxing on video, from the sealed box until the work is fully out. If you find transit damage, email art@neverland.gallery within 3 days of receipt with photos and the video (see our shipping policy).
- Lift it out carefully: support the sides and bottom with clean hands and avoid touching the surface; for works on paper, clean cotton gloves are a good idea.
- Keep the certificate and the packaging: file the certificate separately (see What is a certificate of authenticity?) and keep the packaging for moving or shipping later.
Where to hang it — five places to avoid
- Walls in direct sunlight: UV fades pigments and yellows paper.
- Near bathrooms and kitchens: steam, cooking fumes and big swings in temperature and humidity.
- Directly in front of air-con vents, dehumidifiers or heaters: rapid changes can slacken canvas or cockle paper.
- Damp exterior walls or walls with efflorescence: moisture can seep into the back of the work.
- Narrow passages where it might be knocked: behind doors, or low spots where children and pets pass.
For how big and how high, see How to choose wall art size — a centre about 145–155 cm from the floor is a good general rule. You can also try the placement first on a photo of your wall with our free Art in Your Room Studio.
Hanging hardware: secure beats pretty
- Know your wall: concrete, plasterboard partitions and timber need different nails and anchors; for plasterboard, use proper anchors or fix into the studs.
- Rate the hardware above the work’s weight, frame included, with a margin to spare.
- Use two hanging points for larger works: one hook each side keeps the work level and spreads the load.
- Consider a picture rail: if you like to rotate works, a rail system means fewer holes in the wall.
Light: soft, indirect, low UV
Bright but indirect light is ideal. Indoors, LED lighting at a sensible distance is best; avoid hot spotlights close to the work for long periods. Works on paper, prints and photographs are more light-sensitive — in a bright spot, consider UV-filtering glass or acrylic when framing.
Humidity: the big one for collectors in Taiwan
Taiwan is humid, especially in the plum-rain and typhoon seasons. High humidity can cockle paper and encourage mould on canvas, and rapid swings are harmful too. As a general guide, aim for relative humidity of roughly 45–60% indoors, kept as stable as possible.
- Put a hygrometer in the room so you know the real numbers.
- In damp seasons run a dehumidifier or the air-con’s dry mode — but don’t let the airflow blow directly onto the work.
- Leave a small gap between the back of the work and the wall for air to circulate.
- Check the back and corners from time to time; if you see spots of mould or notice a musty smell, consult a professional early.
Frames and glazing
- Works on paper: frame them for protection, with acid-free mount board so the work doesn’t touch the glass.
- Works on canvas: can hang as they are or with a frame; canvases painted around the edges look great unframed.
- Glass or acrylic: standard glass is economical; anti-reflective, UV-filtering options suit brighter rooms.
Everyday cleaning: the less, the better
- Use a dry, soft brush to lift dust gently from the surface and frame.
- Never use water, damp cloths, alcohol or any cleaner on the surface.
- To clean glazing, spray cleaner onto the cloth, not the glass, so nothing runs into the frame.
- If you notice stains, flaking or cracks, don’t try to fix them yourself — consult a professional conservator.
If you need to store a work
- Store works upright, not stacked flat, and don’t let surfaces touch.
- Wrap in breathable materials; avoid sealing in plastic for long periods, which traps moisture.
- Keep off the floor in a dry, stable place — not a basement or balcony store.
Any questions?
If you’re unsure where a work should go, send a photo of the wall and its size to LINE @neverland.gallery or email art@neverland.gallery. For the full first-time path, read Building an art collection: a roadmap. You’re also welcome to visit the gallery in Xinyi, Taipei to see works under gallery lighting — details on our Xinyi gallery guide, about a 5-minute walk from MRT Yongchun Station Exit 4.
→ Try Art in Your Room Studio — free
Preview on your own wall, then browse available works or book a visit.
