Abstract art for office and home
Baroque Sunrise by Marianne Ogden
We all strive for our homes and workplaces to look good, but we also want the décor and design of our interior spaces to speak to and reflect who we are.
Whether the setting is residential or commercial, traditional or contemporary, for rooms that are stylish and unique, original art has become the go-to choice.
And when it comes to choosing a genre or style, the perennial preference among designers and homemakers continues to be for abstracts. Infinitely versatile, abstract art has become a mainstay of the interior design world, perpetually trending on creative and lifestyle websites like Pinterest and Etsy, as it evolves symbiotically with the ebb and flow of fashion and design trends.
So, what can abstract art do for your interior space?
Baroque Sunrise by Marianne Ogden
In this latest blog post we explore abstract art, what makes a good piece and how it can transform a room, as we introduce some of the most recent abstracts to be added to the Allura Art Collection.
These include artworks by Marianne Ogden, Jo Dounis, Rosette Bonello and Bogdan Dyulgerov.
Besides these recent arrivals, the Allura Art collection features around 100 pieces of original abstracts from as little as €100.
Click here to view the full collection of abstracts.
Baroque Sunrise by Marianne Ogden
Baroque Sunrise by Marianne Ogden is inspired by the glow of the golden sunrise on limestone facades embellished with the Baroque motifs of Malta. This abstract is a blend of gold leaf, image transfers, stenciling and loose layers of paint, invoking the memory of walking the streets of Valletta in the morning.
What is Abstract Art?
Abstract art can be defined as art which does not represent reality. i.e. it is non-representational as opposed to figurative. Venturing beyond the material, it dispenses with recognisable objects in favour of formal elements such as line, shape, colour and tone, which take on a life of their own with characteristics and qualities independent of the physical world.
Artists use these formal elements to capture and communicate the intangible or the invisible; concepts, emotions or experiences beyond the realm of the world we can see.
Apparition by Rosette Bonello
Apparition is one of the latest pieces from informal artist Rosette Bonello.
“Figurative art provides the human brain with clear visual information, images of a tree, a boat or an apple for example,” explains Rosette. “Abstract art, however, reduces the complex visual world around us to its essence of form, line, colour and light. It gives the viewer the freedom to explore the artwork and assign one’s own meaning to the piece.”
Abstract art dates back to the start of the 20th century, when Swedish artist Hilma af Klint and Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky created some of the first abstract paintings in western art history. Early movements such as Lyrical Abstraction, Geometric Abstract Art and Orphism morphed into the American Abstract Expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s and the famous ‘action paintings’ of Jackson Pollock.
Apparition by Rosette Bonello
What makes a good abstract painting?
Abstract artists employ a visual language to communicate a concept or illicit an emotional response through their work. This language is composed of line, shape, form, colour, texture, pattern and tone.
Successful artists combine these elements in creative and intuitive ways to produce an aesthetic which satisfies, arouses or challenges the senses or the mind. This is often achieved by exploiting the contrast between opposite elements such as light and dark, large and small, empty and full, to create tension or balance in the composition.
However, since abstract art is often deliberately left open to interpretation, it can be subjective. Ultimately we must judge it for ourselves based on how it impacts us aesthetically, emotionally or intellectually.
Flames of Passion by Jo Dounis
Flames of Passion by Jo Dounis is inspired by fire and the colour red. The artist’s intention is to draw the viewer into the flames at different stages - from roaring to dying embers - of a fire on a literal level and of passion on a figurative level.
Flames of Passion by Jo Dounis
Art first, décor later?
In an ideal world, the art for a new interior is chosen at the design phase, as an integral part of the design scheme, rather than as an afterthought for decorative purposes. In certain circles it’s actually frowned upon to choose art to fit a pre-existing space.
We’d all like the luxury of purchasing an exciting new piece, purely because it inspires or delights us, and to then choose furniture and fittings to complement its unique qualities. But our choices are often limited by the spaces we own, and if we simply can’t home the object of our desire, we’ll tend not to buy.
For many of us therefore, it’s décor first, art later.
“Sometimes a work of art can ‘pull’ the décor together, because the colours of the piece reflect the colours in the space,” explains artist Jo Dounis, also an interior designer. “Other times, a beloved work of art will actually set the tone and colour palette for the furnishings of a space.”
Flames of Passion by Jo Dounis
What can abstract art bring to your space?
Unity
Abstract art can unify a room by ‘echoing’ nearby patterns or shapes, or create harmony with complementary accents and hues. It can ‘complete’ a space by providing what it lacks. In a homogenous room with no stand-out features or furniture, a painting can serve as a focal point.
Lungo il Percorso by Rosette Bonello
Contrast and vitality
Through the use of free-flowing curves and other organic shapes it can provide fluidity and movement to counter the static, geometric horizontals and verticals of most furniture and walls.
Atmosphere
A painting can be used to establish the ambience, or mood of a space. It can be energetic, uplifting, sombre or calm.
Lungo il Percorso by Rosette Bonello
Style
Whether it’s classic or contemporary, Bauhaus or beach-house, the right piece of art can establish or reinforce the style of your design scheme.
Self-expression
Art can communicate the meaningful and the personal, articulately expressing our personality, tastes, interests and opinions. It can make a statement or deliver a message without words.
Untitled 215 by Bogdan Dyulgerov
Untitled 215 by Bogdan Dyulgerov is part of his extensive Untitled series.
“I am always very happy when my paintings are 'homed' and find people who love them,” says Bogdan. “Whether it's in a private home, office or gallery, it doesn't really matter to me. The important thing is that my abstract artwork provokes the imagination of the audience and brings joy and positive energies in their homes or offices.”
Untitled 215 by Bogdan Dyulgerov
To view the full portfolios of Bogdan and the artists featured in this blog post, as well as artwork by other local artists, visit the Allura Art Collection.
For news and updates from Allura, follow the Allura Art blog, join the mailing list or follow Allura on Facebook.
Finally, in case you’re new to Allura Art…
About the Allura Art Collection
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, by more than a dozen contemporary painters based in Malta and Gozo. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors. Original paintings also make beautiful and unique gifts, and the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
The Allura Art collection is regularly updated with new artwork and new artists. To receive updates by email, join our mailing list.
About the Allura Art advisory service
Allura Art also offers an advisory service, which serves commercial and residential property owners, as well as architects and designers, either seeking direction, or looking to commission a bespoke series or site-specific piece.
Whether residential or commercial, Allura can source, commission or design individual pieces or curate a selection tailored to an interior design scheme.
Allura also welcomes professional relationships with architects and designers as well as contact from other interested parties.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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