art that matters

Carefully selected art work can make all the difference to the feel and character of your home.  Here are two photographers’ views on the little things that can set your collection apart…

about the authors

Guest bloggers gordon+christina are two Australian-based photographers passionate about sharing what they see in the everyday. Their photography projects to date have led them to travel around Australia, Asia and the United States. Their intention is to continue to travel, both domestically and internationally, and continue to see, capture, share and discuss the world around them.

Their clients and buyers have included multinational firms, local businesses and contemporary photography enthusiasts. Their work has achieved both finalist status and has won domestic and international photography competitions.

gordon_christina@ymail.com
www.gordon-christina.webs.com

Our homes say a lot about us.  Which is why we were relieved to recently read an article about ex-Vogue Living editor, Storrier Lyneham, who now runs Format Furniture’s gallery in Sydney (www.formatfurniture.com) with business partner, John Parker.  The tremendously talented duo’s advice?  “Just get rid of the interior designer - who cares what it looks

 like so long as it's your stuff and your taste.”

The message we take away from their advice is to love the things that decorate your home and have them represent a true account of who you are.

As photographers, our focus is largely on the photographic art that people display in their homes and offices.  And we can’t believe how often people buy the first piece of art they come across at an IKEA or Home Depot.  Is there something wrong with buying mass-produced art from a general homewares store?  Absolutely not.  But in our opinion, the art should at least say something about its owner.  It should resonate because it is a piece that captures a favourite holiday spot, the game you grew up playing, an intense situation which can literally make you cry, or is a reminder of a loved one.  Each piece of art in your home should have a story behind it: about the crazy hustler in a street market in Hong Kong; the blind painter who lives down the road; the sculptor that teaches ceramics at your child’s high school; the picture that was taken at the exact place where you had your first kiss.  The two of us love telling the stories that lie behind each of our photographs and recalling the eccentric characters we came across along the way.

So for what it’s worth, here are our tips on buying art for your home:

Make it personal - have the artwork reflect your true self.  Surrounding yourself with what others like won’t do much for your day-to-day mood.  So make sure you like - scratch that - love, the pieces in your home.

Have a story to tell. Let’s face it, we all love a good tale, and talking about picking up a photograph at Target just isn’t all that interesting.  Street markets and arts festivals are great places to pick up original pieces and meet interesting artists along the way.

Don’t be cheap - after all, art on your walls or your shelves is stuff you're going to see every day.  It’s worth getting it right, just as you would with a great pair of jeans.  And remember that $500 spent on a work of art over, say, a five-year timeframe is only 27 cents a day.  Who knows, you may even eventually sell the work for a profit!

The more, the merrier! The gallery look is great, and certainly makes for great conversations with dinner guests.  Don’t feel shy about filling up a whole wall with art

and finally,

Be brave. Have the strength and conviction to see beauty in your own way and whilst you might be tempted to take on the advice of others, it’s always best to go with your gut.

Editor's note: Thank you, gordon+christina! I'm honored to have you in my "audience" and thrilled to be able to post your work here. -Mary Kay

Visit www.gordon-christina.webs.com to see larger versions of the photographs featured here, plus much more!