ART IN THE NURSERY
What makes an art collection an enjoyable endeavour (and a wise investment) is diversification according to your different spaces and the different dimensions of your artistic interests. The nursery and playroom may be somewhat unexpected spaces for fine art, but they present an opportunity to explore, expand, and inspire.
It is understood that starting an art collection is done for several reasons and provides various benefits within any space, the most personally valuable of course being the art you choose to showcase in your home. Traditionally, collectors might focus their purchases on areas such as entryways where art can make a strong first impression, or on communal areas such as the living room where art can function as an entertaining conversation piece. It is even acknowledged how art impacts a kitchen or dining room atmosphere, but how can one’s art collection expand to other, perhaps unexpected, domestic spaces? Let us take a nursery or children’s playroom as an example.
Ashely Peifer - funfetti field day, 2016, Acrylic, gouache, and latex on paper, 28" × 36". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Ashely Peifer
Ashely Peifer - kids kingdom, 2016, Acrylic, gouache, and latex on paper, 28" × 36". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Ashely Peifer.
For those who have the enthusiasm to enhance their home with a more expansive, dynamic art collection, the nursery poses an opportunity to develop that collection into new territory. Incorporating art in the nursery or playroom is not so different from selecting the perfect piece for your living area, except that it presents a specific and exciting angle through which you can filter your decision. There is no conclusive research nor are there cut-and-dry rules for the size, genre, or colours that are markedly “best” for your baby. As such, you may consider it an explorative venture into the mood you desire for the child’s living quarters, the type of values and inspirations you would like to provide to your child, or even simply a more playful, imaginative side to your own artistic taste.
Adrian Kay Wong- Cooly (Softies), 2016, Oil on canvas, 33" × 36". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Adrian Kay Wong.
Adrian Kay Wong - 2 2, 2017, Oil on canvas, 32" × 40". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Adrian Kay Wong.
Modern-day decor and modern child-rearing have clearly stepped away from the constraints of the powder blue and baby pink dichotomy, allowing parents to more fluidly customize not just how they decorate a space for a child but also how they love and raise that child. While some enjoy adhering to these colour standards for a classic style, many parents now gravitate towards greys and beiges for a calm, neutral look; others will opt for a primary colour or an otherwise bright hue such as orange to bring a modern warmth to the nursery.
These nesting preferences are certainly a personal choice, as is the artwork chosen to complement the room. This is where a professional within the art world can make all the difference. Speaking with a trusted advisor can, first and foremost, save you immeasurable time and uncertainty. Moreover, working with a professional means carrying out a purchase via someone who applies art market savvy to an understanding of your taste, the extent and characteristics of your collection, and even your parenting philosophy. Your advisor can take into account every detail that might affect your selection, including choosing the kinds of media or display options for avoiding stains and damage. This way, integrating a new piece into the nursery or playroom can be a well-informed investment as much as it is a chance to introduce your child to cherished, visually impactful art.
Evan Venegas - Day Map S2217, 2017, Acrylic on canvas, 41" × 31" × 1.5". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Evan Venegas.
Words by Michelle Costanza
Evan Venegas - Day Map O1017, 2017, Acrylic on canvas, 43" × 33" × 1.5". Courtesy of Uprise Art and the artist Evan Venegas.