Sunday in the Gallery: Robert Rauschenberg

For my first Sunday in the Gallery post, I wanted to share my all-time favourite artist, Robert Rauschenberg.

From the start of his career in the 1950s up until his death in 1998, Rauschenberg’s art experimented with the limits of what art meant, challenging the traditions of high-art through his use of found objects, performance art, and collage, which he mixed with traditional art processes such as painting and drawing. Being a mid-century artist working in New York, he was influenced by both the Abstract Expressionist and Pop Art movements. Stylistic elements attributed to both movements can be seen in his mixed-media works, which he termed “combines.”

“Reservoir” – 1961. Oil, wood, graphite, fabric, metal, and rubber on canvas

“Rebus” – 1955. Oil, synthetic polymer paint, pencil, crayon, pastel, cut-and-pasted printed and painted papers, and fabric on canvas mounted and stapled to fabric, three panels

“Estate” – 1963. Oil and silkscreen ink on canvas

“Untitled Combine (Man with white shoes)” – 1955. Oil, newspaper, photographs, postcard, fabric, graphite on paper, stickers, found painting, and other found objects

“Windward” – 1963. Oil and silkscreen ink on canvas

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Wrap-front blouse wrap

Wrap-front blouses are everywhere right now and I can see why! They’re a much softer and feminine approach to shirts than a standard button-down, and look great tucked in or out, worn casually with jeans, or paired with a pencil skirt for a more formal look… And the best part? Wearing one is as comfy as wearing your pyjama top for the whole day!

Images: 1 – Warehouse tuck front shirt, 2 – Oasis stripe wrap shirt, 3 – Asos blouse with drop wrap, 4 – Zara japanese wrap top, 5 – Asos blouse with tuxedo collar, 6 – Zara printed silk blouse, 7 – Mimosa silk wrap shirt

Quirky vases

I’m totally smitten with this headless dog vase, ever since spotting it in fashion illustrator Megan Hess’ home, which was featured in the June issue of InStyle magazine. I felt like it was meant to be when I saw the exact same one in a shop that same week!

It got me thinking about vessels which even when empty can stand alone as a decorative piece, rather than being hidden away in a cupboard. The contrast of a quirky, weird vase with the organic beauty of flowers makes you stop and look twice – the vase commands just as much attention as the bouquet it displays!

1. This trio of guns is a great way to bring a hippie-style peace message into your home.

2. My favourite! This puppy looks like a surrealist sculpture when filled with florals.

3. A cat’s head vase by Kiki Smith would be a great shelf partner to the headless dog.

4. Mounted on the wall, this horse head vase designed by Jaime Hayon for Bosa looks like a mounted taxidermy piece, add some flowers and it sprouts a unicorn horn.

5. Harry Allen’s hand vase/candlestick is reminiscent of The Labyrinth.

6. Create a floral hairstyle with this wig vase by Tania da Cruz, or leave it bald for a mannequin-esq decorative piece.

7. An alternative to a love-heart, the Flower Pump by Veneridesign lends new meaning to the term ‘blood vessel’.

8. Go bananas over this Jonathan Adler Banana Bud vase for a tasty way to display some stems.

Timber accents in the home

The addition of timber accents to a room is definitely back in vogue. However, unlike in the 70s and 80s this time around it is being used in a modern, softened-industrial style, especially when used in contrast with materials such as metal, glass, concrete or stone, combined with neutral blacks, whites, and dark greys.

A staple in Scandinavian interiors, the beauty of natural wood is a great way to add an element of warmth to rooms which are traditionally more functional, ie kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. That being said, it works just as well in living areas or bedrooms of a modern home via shelving or architectural elements.

Whether you’re looking to make an impact with a feature wall or ceiling, or to just add a hint with a benchtop, cupboard door, or shelving unit, timber is a fantastic way to create a completely unique feature. By making sure that you use FSC Certified or reclaimed/recycled wood you will also be doing your part for sustainability, ensuring your home is more eco-chic than ever!

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10