Artworks need ‘sunscreen’ too: Tropical climate poses silent threat to art, says curator

The humid tropical climate and high levels of light exposure in Malaysia pose a silent threat to the longevity of artworks, according to Tan Hui Koon, senior chief curator of the Collection and Conservation Section at the National Art Gallery. She emphasizes the need for more sustainable research and conservation efforts rooted in local knowledge, as art objects, like humans, require "sunscreen" protection through tinted glass or museum-standard glass to reflect ultraviolet (UV) light.

Tan further explains that organic materials such as textiles, canvas, and wood readily absorb moisture, leading to expansion and contraction that affects the structural integrity and paint layers of artworks. The National Art Gallery will host the seventh Asia-Pacific Tropical Climate Conservation Art Research Network (APTCCARN) conference, bringing together international conservation experts from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and the Philippines to share research on how art materials respond to tropical climates in the region.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.