How to Find Art for Your Home Appeal
Listen to our Hong Kong experts’ advice and insights into how to successfully add art to your collection.
Coco Ma Hiu Lam
Tuesday 2 April, 2024
Grey Walls Gallery, MCopini, Desert Dwellings Ghardaia Algeria, 2023, 85x34cm
Have a blank wall at home? Looking for that centrepiece in your bedroom but not sure where to start? Adding art to your home’s aesthetic need not be daunting or overpriced. To complement your living space, aesthetics, and art collection, our editors spoke with Grey Walls Gallery, Art Actually and GEEEPSY’S ARTS HUB on their expertise in elevating your home décor.
Size does matter
The very first thing to evaluate is the space. Choosing art for your home means dealing with many factors to create a sense of wellness and comfort. The right size, shape, or color scheme all matters when it comes to fitting it to your home. Have a quick measurement of your wall. How large of an artwork would best fit without overwhelming the rest of the room? Should it be on a wall, or over a bed? At the living room, or bedroom?
“Consider if you would like to complement or juxtapose with your space. Is the room very finished and highly polished?” – (experts from Grey Walls Gallery)
“You, like an artist, can create a dialogue between the artwork and your home by incorporating complementary colors, textures, sizes, or themes. Overall, artworks should enhance and enrich the overall visual narrative of your space.”
(Travis Zhao, Art Actually)
GEEEPSY ART HUB’s Founder, Godefroy Zwygart, also notes that it’s all about balance: “a small piece in a large room will not stand out, however a large artwork on a small wall can make the room look very tiny. Shape will also be determined by the space: a large rectangular work will fit a big empty wall, while a wide, narrow painting will sit well over a bed.”
That gut feeling? Trust it.
The utmost significance in selecting art lies in its ability to bring joy and enhance the atmosphere of your home or space. Trust your instincts and select pieces that resonate with you and reflect your individual preferences and aesthetic sensibilities.
Grey Walls Gallery also suggests rotating your artworks every 4 – 6 months to freshen up your space and gives your eyes a delightful change. Your home is your nest and a place for your personality to shine, so take advantage of that artwork.
Mellow colors are good for a soothing ambience (study or bedroom), while strong bright colors work well on dark walls. Room lighting is also essential; darker works will be perfect for a brightly lit salon, but they will disappear if used in a dark corner. Consider to mix-and-match styles: modern painting with classic Chinese furniture, ethnic sculptures with a modern interior, etc.
Involve your loved ones
“Your personal taste and that of those you live with should be of primary concern. Art that does not bring you joy in the space you live in is not art that you should be hanging on your wall.”
(Experts from Grey Walls Gallery)
It is crucial to ensure that the artwork resonates with everyone who shares the space. Speak with your family members and involve them in the selection process (yes, pets’ opinion matters too!). By involving your family in the decision-making process, you can create a space that reflects not only your individuality, but also the sentimental value, collective identity and shared experiences of your family’s story.
When talking to your family members, consider where the artwork should be placed.
Try to have artworks that stand out from the decor while not being obstructive, oppressive or aggressive.
“Buying an art piece is like marriage. If you see that artwork every single day on your wall and feel good and happy about it, then it was a good purchase”.
(Godefroy Zwygart, GEEEPSY’S ARTS HUB)
Plan your visit ahead of Affordable Art Fair
Before the fair, arm yourself with the tools you need – if you struggle to remember exact colours, try bringing a color swatch of your space with you. Or, wear something that’s the same shade and tone so you have an easy reference point. And don’t forget to take a picture of your space.
During the fair, grab a Fair Guide. “Start with the outside alleys and converge towards the centre. Meanwhile, eye-scan each booth and when you see anything eye-catching, mark down the booth number.” (Godefroy Zwygart, GEEEPSY’S ARTS HUB)
Once you’ve seen everything and found your favorites, talk to the gallerists and artists – do the pieces change when you know the full story? For example, Rachel Smith’s Aberdeen. This work is a love letter from the artist to Hong Kong where she has spent much of her adult life, but it also needs to be hung on a dark coloured wall for best effect.
Finally, interact with gallerists and artists, they can usually offer advice. Ask about the artist’s inspirations, techniques and background to develop a deeper understanding of the art you’re interested in. Understand the artistic intent behind the artwork. Consider the emotions and messages the artist is conveying and whether they align with your personal values and the atmosphere you want to create in your home.
Head over to Affordable Art Fair to find that next artwork you will bring back home. Tickets are available via Eventbrite now.
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