TO HANG OR NOT TO HANG - ART IN THE BATHROOM

The other day as I was loading fresh towels on the rack in the bathroom, I decided to check the art I installed after we remodeled five years ago. I was especially concerned about my father's acrylic painting of a Pasadena street (above) that I placed above the bathtub.
I am happy to report that it looked fine! No ill effects. Same held true for the photographs I hung on the opposite wall near the sink.

Now, whenever I take a shower or bath, I usually open the window a bit and turn on the overhead exhaust fan to keep the room as dry as possible. I also open the door after I'm done to release excess steam.

But it got me thinking. This is an issue I have never addressed in my newsletters or on my blog and I am guessing many of you have perhaps hesitated to hang anything in your bathroom because of potential damage to your art.

It is true that humidity (and direct sunlight) damages art. But with proper ventilation and framing, you can avoid damaging the work.

Acrylic, for example, is durable and elastic, and acrylics are not as prone to moisture damage. Photographs, if framed using archival materials and metal frames, can also be hung in the bathroom. (This is what we did.)

Many people hang oil paintings in their bathrooms as well but again they make sure to keep the room ventilated.

Do you have a story to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you!

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