How to Curate a Seventies-inspired Collection

Known for revolutionary change, the Neo-expressionism movement, and unrivalled fashion that will always have us all in its flared chokehold; the dynamic cultural shifts of the 1970s offer a wealth of impactful elements to artists today.

Want to feel a little less dazed and confused about how these influences appear? Be inspired by our guide to curating your art collection to complement an interior that encapsulates the spirit and aesthetics of the 1970s. Think earthy colour palettes, Pop art inspo and psychedelic influence; this rich decade of change, boundary pushing, and vibrancy offers a wealth of creative stimulation for contemporary artists over 50 years later. Whether you remember the 70s fondly first-hand or are simply inspired to reflect its vibe through extraordinary art, we explore how you can pay homage to the era whilst supporting the living artists of today.

Colour palette inspo

Picturing a 1970s colour palette most likely conjures an earthy mixture of avocado greens, honey yellows and burnt oranges; Mother Earth’s influence present in all hues, evoking the decade’s back-to-back nature movement. But, when looking to explore the era through art, it’s key to remember the sunshine golds, hot pinks and electric blues that featured across psychedelic prints and vinyl sleeves. This battle between vibrancy and simplicity encapsulates the 70s ethos of embracing both peace and change-making audaciousness.

An artwork that reflects this contrast comes from Isabelle Nair-Lacheta and Marcos Kueh, who have used augmented reality and traditional Malaysian weaving techniques to create this large scale textile ‘poster’. The colours from 12 threads work together to form this subdued yet striking piece that, despite clear cultural references, is reminiscent of the popular 70s wall tapestries.

Similarly, Marjanka Jonkers’ tactile, impasto painting gives an immediate brightness with bold, organic strokes of sunflower yellow and sunset orange. All it takes is one confident move towards a 70s colour palette to nail it within your interior. With a photographic print like Lotte Lisa Ekkel’s, the two complementary tones of burnt umber and red clay make for an impactful focal point amongst softer 70s hues.

Earth-first decor

When it came to home décor, the 1970s were all about creating an interior paradise that put inspiration from the planet first. Indoor gardens, earthenware pots and woven macrame were the revered staples of an earth-first home. Fast forward to 2023, and the houseplant resurgence of the 2010s continues to shape our homes just as much as it has inspired artists to recreate these natural domestic visions. Now, a slice of the 70s can be found in the form of striking still life paintings that capture the heart of the twenty-first-century home.

HelloMarine – a French painter, printmaker and lover of colour – is atop of the trend in a big way. Her optimistic, playful creations often feature the iconic 70s monstera amongst an array of the ceramics, trinkets and leafy friends we’ve adopted from the era’s interior design forefathers. Channel the vibe in your own home with a work that features all the houseplants without any of the watering duties.

Slow living ceramics

Dutch artist, Olav Slingerland, utilises the labour-intensive nature of ceramics to give a unique edge to each of his bowl-like sculptures.

This collection has been specifically named ‘Seventees Setting’ due to the balanced use of standout 70s colours. In any combination or layout, the bowls work well together because they tap into both our collective nostalgia and current trends. The way in which the shadow hypnotically hits the off-centre dip in each bowl also plays to the cyclical, geometric tendencies of OG 70s design.

Music

Martin Grover’s screen prints and acrylic paintings bridge the gap for those wanting to pay homage to both art and music in their homes. Informed by his nostalgic collection of old 45s and lifelong love of music, Grover’s work references the iconography and cultural significance of record sleeves. Spanning a multitude of decades, the seventies-inspired songs are a standout, featuring a selection of some of the era’s biggest names – Bill Withers, Bowie, Marvin Gaye – to pay homage to a life informed by musical discovery.

To capture the zeitgeist of an entire cultural shift or snapshot of an era is a mission that Mark Vessey undertakes with his photographic prints. So, whilst we’re celebrating the seventies, a close look at his largescale ‘SEVENTIES’ print provides the perfect punch of all your favourite hits from the decade. From The Clash to Kraftwerk, Hendrix to the Stones; they’re all there to make up an ideal impact piece on your wall.  

Retro shapes

Paisley motifs, floral patterns, evil eyes and geometric forms; these ‘retro’, recurring shapes moulded the basis of what we have all come to expect from 1970s design, with heavy influences from psychedelia, free love propaganda and broader cultural trends.

It’s no surprise that these shapes can still be found in contemporary art today. Whether it’s the swirling, patterned terracotta wallpaper you covet for your latest home makeover, or an ochre sofa featuring the ubiquitous wood veneered legs, what will tie your vision together is a cohesive artwork that ticks every 70s box.

Roll it all into one and you’ve got Marguax Carpentier’s screen print, ‘The World That Crawls Inside Me’. The earthy tinge to the overall colour palette is everything we want from at artwork reminiscent of groovy lines and 70s feminist art, with the modern inclusion of soft pastels and electric blue.

And retro shapes don’t just have to exist in the realm of prints and painting, photography can also offer a subtle nod to a decade, such as the wallpaper in Richard Heeps’ capture of Bruce Lee during the height of his career.

However you wish to revere the 1970s in your art collection, you’re certainly not strapped for inspiration from contemporary artists all over the globe. At your next Affordable Art Fair, we’ll be surprised if you manage to un-see the masses of influence in the artwork on display.

Main image: Margaux Carpentier, ‘Smoke’, screen print, Art Friend