Framing Donna Huddleston's Bernadette at Ortuzar, New York
Photo: Dario Lasagni, Donna Huddleston Burnadette at Ortuzar Gallery, New York
We were delighted to frame the works for Bernadette, Donna Huddleston's first solo exhibition in the United States, presented by Ortuzar, New York.
Working with Donna over many years has given us a unique understanding of her practice. Every exhibition presents new technical and aesthetic considerations, but the objective remains the same: to create frames that quietly support the work, allowing the atmosphere, detail and emotional depth of each piece to take centre stage.
A practice built on precision
Donna Huddleston's drawings and paintings are remarkable for their intricate craftsmanship and psychological intensity. Executed in Caran d'Ache, graphite, acrylic, pigment and oil paint, the works combine references to classical portraiture, cinema and theatre to create richly imagined worlds that feel both familiar and mysterious.
As Donna describes:
"The subjects of my work come from multiple sources that are both specific and abstract. I am drawn to theatrical and cinematic motifs... It is never literal. There is no formula. Process, form, medium, and touch are fundamental."
The delicacy of these materials demands an equally considered approach to framing. Every element—from the mount to the glazing and frame profile—is selected to enhance the viewing experience while ensuring the artwork is protected for decades to come.
Specifically for the work below: Chaperone, 2026 (as featured in FRIEZE magazine Edition 260, the artist chose a specialist light purple linen, from a Swiss company - Creation Baumann, which we used to cover a specially shaped mount. This gave the work a unique and dramatic impact, as demonstrated in the exhibition below.
Conservation at the heart of every frame
For this exhibition, each artwork was framed using museum-standard conservation techniques developed through our work with artists, galleries and museums.
The works on paper were mounted using fully reversible conservation methods, ensuring that the artwork remains unharmed and can be removed safely in the future if required. Museum-quality mountboards and archival materials provide long-term stability, while UV-protective glazing helps preserve the subtle tonal range and delicate surfaces of the drawings.
A continuing collaboration
FRAME has worked alongside Donna Huddleston across numerous exhibitions and projects in the past, including our unique Frame Edition collaboration which is still available through our website.
Make it stand out
FRAME Edition: Donna Huddleston The Hag
£900+VAT (£1,080 incl.)
Bernadette marks an important milestone as Donna's first solo exhibition in the United States, presented by Ortuzar. The exhibition showcases a remarkable new series of paintings and works on paper that continue her exploration of theatrical narratives, memory and imagined worlds.
Her affinity with Tennessee Williams' reflections on memory in The Glass Menagerie offers a fitting lens through which to view these works:
"The scene is memory and is therefore non-realistic. Memory takes a lot of poetic license..."
It is this poetic quality that makes Donna's work so compelling—and why framing it requires restraint, precision and a deep respect for both the artwork and the artist's vision.
We are proud to have contributed to the presentation of Bernadette and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Donna on future exhibitions.