Design Inspiration: Minimalist Wall Art in Modern Interiors
By: Anna Popov
Design Inspiration: Minimalist Wall Art in Modern Interiors
By: Anna Popov
Developed in the United States in the 1960s in reaction to the Abstract Expressionist era, Minimalist Wall Art came along to provide a more purist view of the subject matter. The concept was to extend the idea that a piece of art should have its own reality, not be an imitation or direct representation of something else. It was characterized by extreme simplicity with a focus on clean lines, minimal color and basic shapes leading to it also being known as ABC Art. The renowned Minimalist painter Frank Stella’s famous quote, “What you see, is what you see.”, gives us the best way to view this artform where underlying meaning or profound interpretation are not the goals. The focus is on aesthetics, structure, rhythm, repetition, color blocking, and texture rather than the artists self-expression.
Minimalism itself, as a design style, serves as a practical way to decorate a living space, making the space feel open, clean, uncluttered, intentional and comfortable. It made sense that the art style found its way into the architecture and interior design of the time.
Jumping forward to the modern, contemporary design styles of today, Minimalist Art is having a huge resurgence. We love the neutral palette and simple structure the modern artists of today are bringing to the fore. It allows us as designers to layer in color and texture as needed whilst not taking away from the calmness we want to create in a space. When incorporating Minimalist Art into a modern interior – color, shape, size, and texture are important aspects we consider. Designers often opt for a single, large, bold piece as a focal point of a room, but they will also use the minimalist style of art in different ways depending on the space. Sometimes the goal is for the art to play a supporting role by synching tones with a monochromatic color scheme, almost disappearing. Monochrome pieces can help neutralize a space, bringing a sense of calmness and providing elements of texture. On the other hand, we can opt to use the art to add color and character to a room or a boost of drama to a refined design. There are instances where the art is the focal point, there to draw your eye to the inherent architecture of the room and compliment bolder furniture choices.
We all have different criteria for what constitutes a beautiful piece of art. This is what makes it individual and exciting to explore. Our goal as designers is to guide our clients, understanding their vision, to make the perfect choice that they can enjoy for years to come. We are always on the lookout for that perfect piece of artwork, the one that will pull a space together – adding balance, color and expression. Minimalist Art provides that with its ability to balance between subtlety and statement and we love it.
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