The only stress-free way to move your artwork in South Africa

Maybe it was a striking landscape you picked up at the Joburg Art Fair, a delicate watercolour from a weekend in Franschhoek, or a sculpture passed down through your family. Whatever the story, your art isn’t just décor for your home. Art carries so much more sentimental value and investment, whether it's your lifetime's collection or a treasured inheritance.

Now you’re moving, and the thought of handing those pieces to a truck driver can feel nerve-wracking. Will they survive the trip from Joburg to Cape Town, or even just across town in Durban traffic?

This is your stress-free guide to moving artwork, covering everything from prepping and packing to how professional movers care for artwork during transit, and finally, unpacking it safely in its new home.

• Prepping your art for the move
• Packing art like a pro
• Think about South Africa’s climate
• When to call in the professionals
• Unpacking with care
• Move your art with confidence

Step 1: Prepping your art for the move

Take photos of your artwork before moving

Snap a quick photo of each piece before the move. That landscape from Stellenbosch or family portrait from Durban will be recorded exactly as it looks now. It’s peace of mind and useful for insurance claims if needed.

Check your insurance cover for art in transit

Insurance policies can be tricky. Some require special “in transit” cover for valuables like artwork. Double-check now, so you don’t get caught out later.

Packing supplies you’ll need for your artwork

If you’re leaving it to the movers, they’ll usually bring the right materials. But if you’re particular about how your Pierneef print or Cape Town abstract is wrapped, have supplies ready in advance:

• Bubble wrap or soft blankets,
• Acid-free tissue or glassine paper for paintings,
• Corner protectors for frames,
• Strong boxes or crates,
• Clear labels marked “Fragile – Artwork”.

Movers can supply materials on moving day

Rather skip the shopping? A professional moving team can supply all of this on the day.

Step 2: Packing art like a pro

Here’s where most DIY moves go wrong: wrapping art too tightly, or letting pieces rub against each other. Imagine your Irma Stern rubbing against the frame of another painting. That’s a nightmare no collector or art lover wants. Professionals use tested methods that keep everything cushioned and upright.

• Each piece is wrapped separately so nothing scratches.
• Painted surfaces are covered in glassine, never bubble wrap directly.
• Corners are reinforced with protectors or folded cardboard.
• Frames are cushioned with blankets and loaded upright in sturdy boxes.
• For long-distance moves, movers double-box fragile items to handle bumps along the way.

Even the smooth N1 drive down to Cape Town will have its share of bumps.

Step 3: Think about South Africa’s climate

It’s not just the move itself; it’s also the conditions. South Africa’s long distances and shifting climates mean your art needs extra thought.

• Avoid open trailers in the summer heat, as direct sunlight and heat warp canvases in a matter of hours. Enclosed vehicles are always the safer option. 
• Coastal humidity in Cape Town or Durban can warp both paper and wood frames. Movers know how to seal and protect against it.
• Highveld dust and dryness in Joburg or Pretoria means extra wrapping to shield delicate surfaces.

Moving teams who regularly cross the Karoo on the N1 or local movers who deftly weave through Cape Town traffic on a rainy day know how to handle the challenges that come with those conditions. Professional movers plan for them so you don’t have to.

Step 4: When to call in the professionals

Some pieces are too valuable or sentimental to risk with a ‘throw it in the boot’ kind of move. That’s when movers step in with specialist solutions such as:

• Custom crates built to fit oversized canvases or sculptures.
• Climate-aware vehicles for long trips between provinces.
• Experienced handlers who know fragile art shouldn’t end up under a fridge.

When you post your delivery request on Wise Move, you can specify 'fragile artwork' and get quotes from movers who already know the drill. Whether it’s a Cape Town gallery piece or a sentimental sketch from an Eastern Cape artist, you’ll find movers who treat it with care.

Step 5: Unpacking with care

• Let your artwork adjust to the new room before unwrapping completely. Sudden changes in heat or humidity, say from Joburg’s Highveld dryness to Durban’s coastal air, can cause damage.
• Hang in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.
• Check the condition against your photos right away, so you can raise any issues quickly.

It’s a bit like letting a good red wine breathe after a road trip through Stellenbosch. Your art needs that same patience.

Move your art with confidence

Moving art isn’t just another box to tick off your list. It needs care, planning, and expertise. Instead of worrying about bubble wrap and corner protectors, let professionals take it off your plate.

As your go-to moving service provider, Wise Move helps you book the right moving team for the job—movers who specialise in fragile and valuable items. Post once, get multiple quotes, and book the team who will treat your artwork like their own.

Protect your masterpieces, whether it’s a Joburg Fair find, a family heirloom, or a Cape Town gallery treasure, and your peace of mind. Book South Africa’s best moving teams with Wise Move today.