Large Statement Artwork, I will not be able to forget about the moment when I was standing in front of a huge Rothko at the Tate Modern. That painting was almost eight feet high and this gave it the effect that cannot be replicated by any postcard. It was the time when I changed the way I perceived art in interior rooms. The reason is that I have been working with clients over time to choose and hang big statement pieces, and I have gotten to know that these pieces of giant art do much more than merely cover blank walls.
What is the Artwork a Statement Piece?
The size is an issue, but not all. A statement piece is usually at least 40 inches on a side, but I have dealt with works that were full-wall pieces. The real characteristics of these works are that they anchor a room and take control. The big abstract canvas, the big bold colors, the big black and white photograph or even the big mixed-media installation – these works are the center of interest of the room, everything is arranged around it including the furniture arrangement, color scheme.
Once I hung a three-foot abstract expressionist art on a minimalist living room of a client. The artwork was understated with troops of dark navy, burnt orange and cream which appeared to flow over the canvas. After a few days, she would redecorate her pillows and replace a rug and rearrange her books to match those colors.
Why Megafamous Art Settles The Small Pieces Do Not.
Scale has a psychological element that one cannot overlook. Huge paintings make presence. Large scale artworks have a sense of confidence and sophistication in commercial areas such as hotel lobbies or in business offices. I have observed restaurants that have bigger and bolder art work to be more memorable than the rest with pieces of art that are scattered here and there.
On the side of the design, a single large work can usually be superior to a gallery wall of smaller frames. It reduces the visual space and produces breathing space. This has been the case especially in the modern and contemporary interior where clean lines prevail.
How to Find the Right Statement Piece.
The greatest error that I observe people commit is choosing art depending on the attempt to match the art work with the sofa or the curtains. A statement piece must be something that appeals to your use in a deeper level since you will be wearing it every day. I will urge clients to take the following factors into consideration:
Scale and proportion: Be careful with your wall area. There is a widely agreed rule that art must occupy about two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of furniture below the piece of art. In the case of a typical eight-foot sofa, you will have a product with a width of between 60 to 72 inches. Nevertheless, I have managed to break this rule successfully when the work justified it.
Connection between colors: The connection between colors is not of the same color but of its complement, or similarity. The theory of color can be used to a gorgeous effect, in that a rust-colored room can be accompanied with the accents of a painting painted in teal colors, which will not create the same effect and look dull.
Theme and tone: Abstract work is more open and less predetermined, which may be more secure to people who are afraid to have a long-term commitment. Artworks that are more figurative or photography, can be said to be more specific, but can get out of date more easily or can feel restrictive as preferences shift.
Problems and resolutions of installation.
The installation of big art is not an amateur activity. I discovered this through some painful experience years ago when a badly fixed 48 inch canvas fell and hit my wall at 2 a.m. resulting in holes in my wall and a framing crack.
Pieces that weigh above 50 pounds or need to be installed by precision can be installed by professionals. To people who are serious about DIY, do not cheap out on the hardware that is rated much higher than the weight of your artwork. I normally employ two D-rings with picture wire on objects that weigh less than 30 pounds, but employ French cleats or heavy weight wall anchors on any objects that are heavier.
The question of height arises always. The rule of placing the artwork in the middle of the 57 60 inches of the floor is suitable when working with average sized artwork, but when dealing with large scale artwork it may be necessary to make some alterations depending on the height of the ceiling, the presence of furniture, and the lines of sight.
Living With Large-Scale Art
Bold artwork transforms the feel of the room in a manner that is not necessarily expected. One of the clients once selected a large and bright floral painting that she could have in her own office. She went on to inform me later that it made video calls more interesting, colleagues would make comments about the vibrant background, which would form natural conversation starters.
Lighting should be taken seriously. These works are frequently served with picture lights or track lighting which is adjustable. Artwork may be displayed well using natural light but be aware of direct sunlight exposure which may make the work fade particularly in case of photographs and water colors.
I have also observed that huge statement pieces change the perception of the piece. A painting you have been living with several months will show you something new, other moods in different light, new meanings as your own life situation evolves.
Investment Considerations
Art in quality statement can even increase in value especially the artworks of upcoming artists who will eventually be recognized as great. Nevertheless, I would always recommend that people purchase what they are in love with instead of treating art as a means of investment. The everyday happiness of having a piece of work with which you identify yourself is greater than the hypothetical appreciation.
With that said, documentation is important. Store provenance, certificates of authenticity and receipts. Take pictures of your art to insure and appraise useful art.
Big statement pieces change spaces unlike many other design elements do. It can be an aggressive abstraction, a scenic landscape, or an eye-catching photograph, the correct work is not just another decoration, but a part and parcel of your everyday landscape.
FAQs
What is the best price on statement jewelry?
Allocate 5-15% of furnishing budget of your room to art. A 3000 dollar sofa is a good match with 150-450 art but individual needs differ.
Is it possible to use large art in small spaces?
Absolutely. A single large piece would tend to make small spaces appear bigger because it creates a focus on the wall instead of having several small objects scattered throughout the wall.
How do I clean large artwork?
Lightly dust using a light and soft microfiber cloth. In the case of canvas, you should not use water or cleaners unless it is recommended by a professional. Stones covered with glass can only take glass cleaner on the glass.
Is statement art appropriate to my style of decoration?
Accomplish not duplicate. An old space can be revitalized with artistic new pieces, and the old-fashioned photography will bring down ultra-modern rooms.
What is the frequency of statement piece change?
There’s no rule. There are those who rotate seasonally; there are those who preserve pieces during decades. A good work is likely to be interesting much longer compared to fads.
