Home is where the art is

It could be argued that we’re all artists, snapping away with our mobiles and generally enjoying a more visual world, but all too often our ‘work’ ends up unseen.
Linda Blackstone Gallery, Dganit Blechner, Paint Your Dreams, available at The Affordable Art Fair, London.PA Photo/Handout.Linda Blackstone Gallery, Dganit Blechner, Paint Your Dreams, available at The Affordable Art Fair, London.PA Photo/Handout.
Linda Blackstone Gallery, Dganit Blechner, Paint Your Dreams, available at The Affordable Art Fair, London.PA Photo/Handout.

Photographs of family, friends and holidays are commonly left lingering on laptops and phones, despite the risk of accidental deletion or a system crash, instead of being out on display.

Google’s vice president, Vint Cerf has even warned internet users to print out photographs or risk losing them in the future as technology advances.

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Heeding his advice could not only save the heartache of losing a treasure trove of memories, but also provide a brilliant source of decoration for the home. What could be easier than dressing your walls with personal photos and artwork for an instant injection of personality?

“Even a single piece of art, beautifully framed, in the middle of a blank wall can have an enormous impact, especially if the piece is particularly small or particularly large,” says Luci Noel, director of the Affordable Art Fair. Now in its 16th year, the AAF has has held 111 events across 11 countries and prides itself on making art accessible for everyone. Its latest event will be at Battersea, London, from March 12-15.

“Art creates a real focal point for a room, and symmetry of furniture or furnishings around the piece can also help to draw the eye to it. Conversely, a cluster - known as a ‘salon hang’ - can vary from a few pieces up to an entire wall filled with a collection. Be as creative as you want to be, even hanging objects or mirrors within the cluster to fill a space,” Noel says.

If you’re bewildered by the vast array of art on offer, or struggle to identify which photos to include in your home ‘gallery’, she advises hanging with heart.

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“It’s all about browsing at art fairs, visiting galleries to discover what resonates with you. Maybe print off a selection of your photo prints, so over time you can narrow down your choice,” she says.

“Art should be an emotional experience - buy only what you love and what you want to live with and will enjoy every day. It’s all about personalising your space and making it unique to you.”

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