Pictures for Domestic Sphere

Last Saturday, I knocked on the door of the Stephanie Hoppen gallery in Chelsea, London. It was an opening of new exhibition FLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA, organized by my very good friend Daniela.

What is so unique and interesting about this galley is that they specialise in Contemporary paintings and photographies that can be hang on the wall of houses. Well, yes, it might not sounds as unique - any paintings and photos could be hang on the wall of any premises.


However, in the minutes you walk into the gallery, you realise that the style of curation is definitely different from other major Contemporary Art galleries whose common style is very much of minimalist - works of art curated in a "white cube". At the Stephanie Hoppen, pictures are curated alongside with antique furnitures and flower vases, which does create a homely atmosphere. When you actually go up stairs to view some more works, you feel like you are visiting someone's home.

This is because the owner of the gallery Stephanie Hoppen is an internationally known interior designer whose interests varies from works of art to the variation of curtains. In other words, her fascination in works of art is centred around interior design for domestic sphere. Therefore, art and photography are meant to be displayed in combination to sofa, beds, tables, curtains and even types of music you would listen the most in your private room.

Here at the Stephanie Hoppen, Art is not something autonomous - it is rather something that can be part of your everyday life at home, as part of everything else.


*One of the Stephanie Hoppen's books on art and photography at home is Picuture Perfect.
She is also taking a part at the London Design Week 2009 (15-20th March), and signing copies of her new book Perfect Curtains.