A colourful Canadian art collection steals the show in a black-and-white backdrop
Photography By Paul Chmielowiec
Art has so many intricacies; it is bought because you are drawn and moved by its content, colour, and medium. It represents a time in your life, the moments of joy and perhaps even sorrow. Some art is bought for its monetary worth and its potential appreciation in value but most of the time, we buy art because we LOVE it and have a passion for the medium.
So if you are an art lover, then you may have acquired a fabulous collection during your lifetime. Or perhaps you are a neophyte and are just starting your collection. Wherever it is in your life, displaying and hanging your art is as important as the colour of your walls; to know how it needs to be seen and showcased in your home will ultimately elevate its presence.
“ . . . D I S P L A Y I N G A N D H A N G I N G
Y O U R A R T I S A S I M P O R T A N T A S
T H E C O L O U R O F Y O U R WA L L S . . . ”
DISTINCTLY CANADIAN
My dear friend and client Mary has a wonderful collection of art that she has acquired over the years; the commonality in her pieces? “They must all be Canadian artists,” she proudly claims. Artists like Tony Scherman, Simon Casson, Mark Lang, Kevin Sonmor, Luce Meunier, Janna Watson, Kristofir Dean and Paul Belliveau, to name a few. Though there is not one specific style that she is drawn to, she does have an infinite love for apples and tulips (which can be found in many pieces of art and sculptures in her home), but these artists have very strong points of view and require much breathing room to allow them to sing their own song. “They need to be a part of my daily life,” says Mary. And this is why we chose a black-and-white colour palette for her new midtown condo. It is meant to complement, not compete with the collection.
THE ART OF BLACK AND WHITE
The simplicity of a black-and-white colour scheme allows the space to take a step back from the beauty and boldness of her art collection. Undoubtedly, each room has some very beautiful pieces of furniture, many customized to provide an everlasting layering of black-and-white tones, but what really stands out, is the artwork. The furniture becomes secondary yet grounding to the rooms. They all have weight to them, giving them presence, but it’s all about the art and always will be.
“. . . W E B U Y A R T B E C A U S E W E L O V E I T
A N D H A V E A P A S S I O N F O R T H E M E D I U M .”
FURNISHINGS AND FINISHES
With 14-ft. ceilings, we also had volumes of space to fill. We decided the light fixtures needed to have a sculptural element to them, which complement the artwork and surrounding furniture. We chose more round and soft shapes in these fixtures to balance out the severity of some of the art pieces.
SKY HIGH
This colour scheme also made the space appear visually larger than it actually is. With limited wall space, the entire north wall of the condo is a wall of glass, providing in its own right, a natural art landscape of the city. The decision to choose Ralph Lauren’s Brilliant White paint was the way to go. It isn’t too blue, green or yellow. It’s perfect; a white-walled gallery in the sky.
Art in your home is a wonderful thing. It shows who we are without saying anything at all. Art speaks for itself, and as the adage goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Paul Semkuley, A Toronto-based interior stylist and principal of re:source lifestyles, successfully incorporates the client’s existing collection of furniture and family treasures in unique and unpredictable ways. resourcelifestyles.com