London’s Secret Designs

When choosing art for the home, it’s very natural to select pieces because you like the subject matter or the style of the artist. From an Interior Designer’s point of view we encourage our clients to be brave with art and not to be afraid of experimenting with bold tones. An exciting idea is to opt for a canvas because of the sheer movement of colour and the potential it has to interact with your surroundings.

One artist who can offer a unique perspective on the use of fluid colour is Zhuang Hong Yi, most recently seen exhibiting in Unit London Mayfair.

Authentic design

Zhuang Hong Yi is a Chinese artist who is considered to be one of the most influential in his country. Splitting his time between the Netherlands and China, he has fused ideas from the two cultures to create artwork which is challenging on a sensory level.

One of his most authentic yet stimulating series is Flowerbed, created in 3D design. Flowers are an integral part of the Netherlands whilst also holding an important place in Chinese culture, so a floral theme has real depth for Zhuang Hong Yi.

It’s difficult to comprehend the painstaking work that went into each canvas in Flowerbed, with the artist first producing 3D rice paper flowers using origami before immersing them in layers of acrylic and oil paints.

The end result is quite startling and continues to evolve and develop in front of your eyes. The multiple layers of different paints ebb and flow as you roam around in front of the canvas, affording a new wash of colour with every viewing.

Experiencing colour differently

This pioneering approach to creating artwork is born from Zhuang Hong Yi’s desire to continue to break down barriers and deliver experimental installations.

The predecessor to the Flowerbeds series, Landscapes, was created also using rice paper and paint but in a completely distinct way. The end result is structurally different yet equally as pleasing, with the same focus on the perception and use of colour.

Rather than the soft waves of undulating tones seen in Flowerbeds, Landscapes offers more defined islands of colour which operate both individually and as a collective.

Exploring the full potential

Although Zhuang Hong Yi’s work is undoubtedly a statement, here at Casey & Fox we believe it can still work in harmony with most interior décors. The most important factor is to provide it with enough space to offer its full story.

Installing such huge wall art is a bold move but one which could reflect back your decor in a dynamic way. Allow the canvas to dominate the room; this isn’t a piece of art that’s chosen as an afterthought. Instead, allow your interior design scheme to be sculpted around the colours that play off from the canvas and the changeable tones that it offers.

You don’t need to have an enormous house as large art in small spaces can be even more effective. As your interior designer we believe that is essential to have the right piece that offers a colour flow rather than delivering jarring lines that are disjointed. As your Art Curator, we could help you to pinpoint the piece that isn’t just something you’re drawn to, but has the power to become the mouthpiece for your decor.

Redefine the meaning of art within the home and discover the beauty of going big.

On a personal note…

Zhuang Hong Yi’s collection is a range of diverse statements with differing colour palettes and flowing lines. We were particularly drawn to the piece titled Elysium, with the lustrous flush of colour creating an iridescent silhouette.

Take a look at the image of Elysium below. Relax and allow your mind to be drawn in by the billowing tones – what do you see? The artwork will evoke a personal response in everyone but for us, it conjured up thoughts of the translucent beauty of a Man-of-War jellyfish combined with a cosmic interpretation of gentle dropping petals from a rose.

Interior design is our passion and we’d love to help you create your very own artistic expression – if you’d like to know more about what we do, just get in touch.