Caring for Aboriginal Bark Paintings: Essential Preservation Tips
Aboriginal bark paintings are among the most delicate and culturally rich artworks in the world. Painted on sheets of eucalyptus bark using natural ochres and earth pigments, these works are as materially fragile as they are spiritually powerful. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to Aboriginal art, understanding how to care for bark paintings is essential for preserving their beauty, integrity, and value.
At Newstead Art, we regularly assist clients with the assessment, valuation, and conservation of bark works — some of which are over a century old. This guide outlines what every collector should know.
1. Understanding the Medium: Why Bark Paintings Are Unique
Bark paintings are traditionally made from strips of stringybark (usually Eucalyptus tetradonta), stripped and flattened, then painted with ochres bound in natural fixatives such as orchid sap or acrylic binders. The natural materials make these works highly susceptible to:
Moisture damage
Pigment loss (especially white and yellow ochres)
Warping, cracking, and curling
Insect activity
Poor handling or framing
Despite these vulnerabilities, with the right care, bark paintings can remain stable and beautiful for decades — even centuries.
2. Display Conditions: Humidity, Light, and Framing
✅ Ideal Environment:
Humidity: Keep between 45–55% relative humidity. Avoid storing in basements or near bathrooms, where fluctuations are most dramatic.
Temperature: Stable, between 18–22°C. No direct sunlight or heating vents.
Lighting: Use UV-filtered lights (low-lux). Avoid halogen and strong spotlights, which can fade ochres over time.
✅ Framing Tips:
Avoid sandwiching bark between glass and backing boards without spacers — the bark needs to “breathe.”
Use museum-grade acrylic glazing with spacers to prevent direct contact.
Ensure the frame supports the natural warping and doesn’t force the bark flat — this can cause cracking.
3. What to Watch Out For: Common Signs of Damage
White flecks or powdering: Often due to lime-based white ochre flaking off — a very common and serious issue.
Surface cracking or loss of paint layer: Often due to rapid environmental changes or ageing fixatives.
Curling or bowing of the bark slab: Often due to fluctuations in humidity or poor initial preparation.
Mould spots or musty smell: Sign of damp storage. Seek professional conservation advice immediately.
Insect holes or frass (droppings): Could be active borer or termite damage.
If in doubt — don’t clean or adjust the painting yourself. Consult a conservator.
4. Can Damaged Bark Paintings Be Restored?
Yes — in many cases. Skilled conservators can:
Rehydrate and flatten curled bark under controlled humidity
Stabilize pigments using traditional or synthetic fixatives
Patch small tears from behind the surface
Carefully infill ochre losses using colour-matched natural earths
However, conservation must be done ethically and transparently. In many cases, especially with older works, signs of age can add to their authenticity and historical value — particularly when the wear reflects the work’s use in ceremony or cultural life.
5. Storing Bark Paintings Safely
If not displayed:
Store flat, ideally in a custom crate or acid-free box
Use interleaving acid-free tissue between works
Avoid rolling under any circumstance — bark is brittle and will likely crack
6. Insurance and Conservation Valuations
Bark paintings should be re-valued every 5–7 years for insurance purposes, especially if their condition changes or the market value increases. Conservation work should also be documented — including before-and-after photographs and materials used.
At Newstead Art, we can assist with:
Condition assessments
Conservation referrals
Updated valuations for damaged or restored works
Final Word: Respect the Object, Honour the Culture
Bark paintings are not just artworks — they are expressions of ancestral knowledge, sacred narratives, and cultural identity. Caring for them is not only a collector’s responsibility but a way of respecting the communities and traditions they come from.
Need Advice?
If you own a bark painting that may require conservation, or want a condition assessment before insuring or selling it, reach out to our team of accredited valuers.
