Exhibitions

Installation of the crucifix by Juan Martinez Montanes as part of the "The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture 1600–1700" exhibition in the Sainsbury Wing, 2009.

© Photo The National Gallery, London / courtesy of Iglesia Conventual del Santo Ángel, Carmelitas Descalzos, Seville

The art handling department at The National Gallery is responsible for all technical and handling issues concerning the installation and de-installation of all the gallery’s temporary exhibitions. On average, the gallery displays around nine exhibitions a year. These vary in complexity from large, multi-object themed shows to small subject-specific installations of just a few objects. The gallery’s exhibition department is responsible for the overall project management and delivery of each exhibition and we work closely with them to help realise the project.

When a show is formulated, we assign one of our senior technicians as part of the project team and they become responsible for all art handling issues concerning the exhibition. Our senior technician will then assign one of our team supervisors as their deputy on the project and both will be part of the lead-in planning for the show, providing the exhibition department with the necessary technical support.

For the installation, our senior technician will work with me as the head of department to co-ordinate the team's resources between the show and the ongoing work we are responsible for, regarding the main collection.

Patrick O’Sullivan, Head of Art Handling