Curating a Gallery Wall by Ann Jackman
How to Showcase Your Art
Collections of art build up over time. Sometimes these will follow a specific theme, a favourite artist, or movement. They may be bought on a whim as a memory of a holiday, a person or an anniversary. Elements of an art collection may be inherited, combining nostalgia and family history.
Art is a wonderful way to create a more personal home, regardless of your approach to collecting. A single piece can be the starting point for an entire interior design. Conversely, it can be the finishing touch that makes the difference between a lovely space and something spectacular.
What is the best way to curate and display an art collection? It can be tempting to hang art sporadically but perhaps consider the impact of creating a gallery wall instead. This statement feature will elevate your space.
Planning Your Concept
A gallery wall can take many different manifestations, so it is important to start by planning out a specific concept. From classic collections of fine art in antique frames, to chic black and white photographs, there are many different avenues you can take. Finding a singular theme that is tailored to your taste keeps the wall looking sleek and put together.
Use the location of the gallery to guide your concept. An understated cloakroom could use a fun selection of mixed medias, whilst a private bedroom might take a more personal approach. Always consider the view from the room into the connecting area.
Curating Your Collection
Not every piece may be worthy of including in your collection. Ask your interior designer to make an initial selection of individual pieces to work together. You will want to stay involved to be sure that the most personal pieces are included.
Collecting and curating art can be a rewarding and lifelong process. If you have gaps in your gallery, consider using old family photos or perhaps integrate your child’s ‘contemporary art’ into your collection of modern paintings.
Display Considerations
The display will depend on the coherence and quality of your collection. A collection with limited colour palette, medium or style will instantly work together. A more disparate collection will need a few clever tricks to pull it together. A strong background wall colour can work wonders. Lighting just one focal piece or balanced positioning can keep the wall looking unified and draw all the separate elements into a cohesive portfolio.
Arranging the Gallery
Use the shape of the wall to choose the formation that suits the canvas best – be it a square, rectangle, stair-like zigzag, or an explosion of frames that expand out from the centre. Using the space to guide your arrangement will ensure that the gallery complements the room.
Plan out your formation before you start to hang your pieces. Lay the frames out on the floor first to settle on your shape. Then map out a preliminary design on the wall with something less permanent, such as paper templates and blue tac. This allows you to move pieces freely around and experiment with different layouts before committing completely.
Gallery Wall Expert Tips
Installing the frames lower than you may have originally anticipated can help to create more impact. Consider also the context in which the frames may be viewed. If the frames are creeping up a stair, perhaps stagger them in the same direction as the steps. For a seated position on a sofa, the gallery would be best viewed from a lower level.
Use the gallery wall as an opportunity to showcase your personality. Curating that final collection can be challenging and time-consuming, but with the help of an expert interior designer it can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the interior design process.
We hope that you found these design tips inspiring and helpful. If you have any questions about how to showcase your art, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Photography: KT1 Photography