Posts Tagged: design

David-Gentleman-Mural-Women-mixing-mortar-wood-engraving-1978

Shakespeare Gentleman Illustrator

The first Shakespeare Penguin titles appeared in 1940. They were designed by the steadfast classicist Jan Tschichold. By the late 1960s the series was looking dated. Penguin was trying to be less literal and more cerebral, and designer Germano Facetti had

David-Gentleman-Mural-Women-mixing-mortar-wood-engraving-1978

Shakespeare Gentleman Illustrator

The first Shakespeare Penguin titles appeared in 1940. They were designed by the steadfast classicist Jan Tschichold. By the late 1960s the series was looking dated. Penguin was trying to be less literal and more cerebral, and designer Germano Facetti had

Paul-Auster-Music-Moon-Palace

When Text is Enough

When the time came for Paul Auster’s Penguin books to be redesigned, he asked the art director to consider using a typographical rather than image based approach.

Paul-Auster-Music-Moon-Palace

When Text is Enough

When the time came for Paul Auster’s Penguin books to be redesigned, he asked the art director to consider using a typographical rather than image based approach.

Rope-Deming-Book-Cover-Brice-Marden

Atmospheric Content

“The pictorial idea, be it drawing, collage or photograph, will indicate the atmospheric content of the book.”

Rope-Deming-Book-Cover-Brice-Marden

Atmospheric Content

“The pictorial idea, be it drawing, collage or photograph, will indicate the atmospheric content of the book.”

Bruno-Munari-and-Deyan-Sudjic

50 Shades of White

I’m noticing a trend in book design. Many shades of white.

Bruno-Munari-and-Deyan-Sudjic

50 Shades of White

I’m noticing a trend in book design. Many shades of white.

George-Eliot-Middlemarch-books

Middlemarch Winter

“There is something in daubing a little one’s self, and having an idea of the process.”

George-Eliot-Middlemarch-books

Middlemarch Winter

“There is something in daubing a little one’s self, and having an idea of the process.”

Guardian Spirit 700-750AD

Spooky Spirit

This little hoofed fellow is supposed to stop dead people coming out of their graves to interfere with the living.

Guardian Spirit 700-750AD

Spooky Spirit

This little hoofed fellow is supposed to stop dead people coming out of their graves to interfere with the living.

Tree-goddess-Salabhanjika-India-1150-1200-NGV

Tree Goddess

A truly lovely tree goddess.

Tree-goddess-Salabhanjika-India-1150-1200-NGV

Tree Goddess

A truly lovely tree goddess.

Uma-Khmer-10-11-century-NGV

Alfred and Uma

Most of the fabulousness of the National Gallery of Victoria can be attributed to Mr Alfred Felton.

Uma-Khmer-10-11-century-NGV

Alfred and Uma

Most of the fabulousness of the National Gallery of Victoria can be attributed to Mr Alfred Felton.

Model-of-a-Granary-AD25-220-NGV

Grains for the Dead

If the spirit of the ancestor is happy and peaceful then they will look after the living. So best to feed them lots of grain.

Model-of-a-Granary-AD25-220-NGV

Grains for the Dead

If the spirit of the ancestor is happy and peaceful then they will look after the living. So best to feed them lots of grain.

Man-Holding-Dog-AD700-Henan-Shaanxi-province-North-China

Holding Art

Some lovely earthenware sculptures from the National Gallery of Victoria.

Man-Holding-Dog-AD700-Henan-Shaanxi-province-North-China

Holding Art

Some lovely earthenware sculptures from the National Gallery of Victoria.

Ellsworth-Kelly-Facade-for-Matthew-Marks-Gallery-NYT

Ellsworth Kelly’s Facade

Shape, line and color in their purest forms.

Ellsworth-Kelly-Facade-for-Matthew-Marks-Gallery-NYT

Ellsworth Kelly’s Facade

Shape, line and color in their purest forms.

Elsworth-Kelly-Meschers-1951

Cézanne and Kelly

‘The most pleasurable thing in the world for me is to see something and then translate how I see it.’

Elsworth-Kelly-Meschers-1951

Cézanne and Kelly

‘The most pleasurable thing in the world for me is to see something and then translate how I see it.’

Paul-Cezanne-Chestnut-Trees-at-the-Jas-de-Bouffan-1885-86

Cézanne Seeing

When Ellsworth Kelly was a young boy, he put a print of this chesnut tree painting of Cezanne’s on his wall.

Paul-Cezanne-Chestnut-Trees-at-the-Jas-de-Bouffan-1885-86

Cézanne Seeing

When Ellsworth Kelly was a young boy, he put a print of this chesnut tree painting of Cezanne’s on his wall.

Sophie-Tauber-Arp-Twelve-Planar-Spaces-and-Angular-Bands-1938

Sophie Tauber-Arp

‘The intrinsic decorative urge should not be eradicated, it is one of humankind’s deep-rooted, primordial urges.’

Sophie-Tauber-Arp-Twelve-Planar-Spaces-and-Angular-Bands-1938

Sophie Tauber-Arp

‘The intrinsic decorative urge should not be eradicated, it is one of humankind’s deep-rooted, primordial urges.’

Godfrey-Miller-Still-Life-Fruit-and-Flower-1957-61

Godfrey Miller’s Counterspace

“If I had my time over again I would paint still life.”

Godfrey-Miller-Still-Life-Fruit-and-Flower-1957-61

Godfrey Miller’s Counterspace

“If I had my time over again I would paint still life.”

Godfrey-Miller-drawing

Anchorite Godfrey Miller

From a vigorous, athletic boy to a reclusive painter.

Godfrey-Miller-drawing

Anchorite Godfrey Miller

From a vigorous, athletic boy to a reclusive painter.

James-Coburn-Brisbane-River-1970

John Coburn’s River and Bend

John Coburn’s precise, clear and deliberate style.

James-Coburn-Brisbane-River-1970

John Coburn’s River and Bend

John Coburn’s precise, clear and deliberate style.

James-Coburn-Icon-1970

John Coburn’s Icon

A magical play on positive and negative shapes.

James-Coburn-Icon-1970

John Coburn’s Icon

A magical play on positive and negative shapes.

Ian-Fairweather-Public-Relations-1963

Fairweather Plashes

“After my little dip into abstraction I find I can’t get back again and am quite bushed.”

Ian-Fairweather-Public-Relations-1963

Fairweather Plashes

“After my little dip into abstraction I find I can’t get back again and am quite bushed.”

Ian-Fairweater-Painting-1-1960

Ian Fairweather’s Abstractions

“It’s between representation and the other thing, whatever that is, and it’s difficult to keep one’s balance.”

Ian-Fairweater-Painting-1-1960

Ian Fairweather’s Abstractions

“It’s between representation and the other thing, whatever that is, and it’s difficult to keep one’s balance.”

Ian-Fairweather-Woman-at-Window-1955

Ian Fairweather’s Mothers

Umbrellas and mothers. Two of the most common motifs used by Ian Fairweather. “Ian is a strange child. He likes to be away by himself and can never by found when he is wanted,” said Ian’s mother, Rose Fairweather. Ian’s parents

Ian-Fairweather-Woman-at-Window-1955

Ian Fairweather’s Mothers

Umbrellas and mothers. Two of the most common motifs used by Ian Fairweather. “Ian is a strange child. He likes to be away by himself and can never by found when he is wanted,” said Ian’s mother, Rose Fairweather. Ian’s parents

Ian-Fairweather-Parasol-1957

Ian Fairweather’s Parasol

Around the time my parents were contemplating a new life in a bright and airy space artist Ian Fairweather (1891 -1974) had built a cottage on Bribie Island.

Ian-Fairweather-Parasol-1957

Ian Fairweather’s Parasol

Around the time my parents were contemplating a new life in a bright and airy space artist Ian Fairweather (1891 -1974) had built a cottage on Bribie Island.

Carlowrie-Iona-Amanda-Joanne-Lisa-Julia-Rachel-Sarah-Andrew-Ritson-1960s

Iona House Green

Iona House was surrounded by our busy dairy and potato farm.

Carlowrie-Iona-Amanda-Joanne-Lisa-Julia-Rachel-Sarah-Andrew-Ritson-1960s

Iona House Green

Iona House was surrounded by our busy dairy and potato farm.

Carlowrie-exterior-1960s

Iona House Red and Blue

Iona House in all its glorious Kodak Instamatic colour

Carlowrie-exterior-1960s

Iona House Red and Blue

Iona House in all its glorious Kodak Instamatic colour

Carlowrie-Iona-Amand-and-Joanne-Ritson-1960s

Iona House Features

In the black and white days of the Iona House at 2060 Main Drain Road, Iona, family and possessions were falling gently into place.

Carlowrie-Iona-Amand-and-Joanne-Ritson-1960s

Iona House Features

In the black and white days of the Iona House at 2060 Main Drain Road, Iona, family and possessions were falling gently into place.

Ritson-Carlowrie-House-Iona-1961

Iona House Family

I contacted architect John Davidson last week and he kindly corresponded with me about the “Carlowrie” house at Iona.

Ritson-Carlowrie-House-Iona-1961

Iona House Family

I contacted architect John Davidson last week and he kindly corresponded with me about the “Carlowrie” house at Iona.

Carlowrie-Iona-John-Davidson-1960-Build-3

Iona House Beginnings

As the grand-daughter of a Koo-We-Rup East Iona pioneer, my mother Hayden Ritson (Kavanagh) inherited all sorts of land around Iona. In the late 1950s, my parents decided to build a brand new house in the modern style. It would

Carlowrie-Iona-John-Davidson-1960-Build-3

Iona House Beginnings

As the grand-daughter of a Koo-We-Rup East Iona pioneer, my mother Hayden Ritson (Kavanagh) inherited all sorts of land around Iona. In the late 1950s, my parents decided to build a brand new house in the modern style. It would

Owen-Kavanagh-1920s-Iona-with-Eileen

Kavanagh and Featherstone

My great-grandparents, Owen Kavanagh and Catherine Featherstone, were early pioneers of Iona.

Owen-Kavanagh-1920s-Iona-with-Eileen

Kavanagh and Featherstone

My great-grandparents, Owen Kavanagh and Catherine Featherstone, were early pioneers of Iona.

Lina-Bryans-1942

Lina Bryans’ Pink Colony

Artists’ Colonies seem a particularly Melbourne thing in the early part of the 20th century. A dog bite was responsible for Bryans’ Colony. Lina Bryans knocked on the door of Ada May Plante (a painter friend of Jock Frater) for some

Lina-Bryans-1942

Lina Bryans’ Pink Colony

Artists’ Colonies seem a particularly Melbourne thing in the early part of the 20th century. A dog bite was responsible for Bryans’ Colony. Lina Bryans knocked on the door of Ada May Plante (a painter friend of Jock Frater) for some

Lina-Bryans-1937

Young Lina Bryans

Lina Bryans was born in Europe but her parents were Australian. Bryans was a Hallenstein whose family had made their money from a successful tannery and leather business in Melbourne. Her maternal great-grandfather, Sir Benjamin Benjamin, had been Lord Mayor of

Lina-Bryans-1937

Young Lina Bryans

Lina Bryans was born in Europe but her parents were Australian. Bryans was a Hallenstein whose family had made their money from a successful tannery and leather business in Melbourne. Her maternal great-grandfather, Sir Benjamin Benjamin, had been Lord Mayor of

Lina-Bryans-Waterhole-1973

Music of Lina Bryans

In memory of Brian Finemore, Lina Bryans gave one of her major late works, Landscape Quartet, to the National Gallery of Victoria. | Lina Bryans, Landscape Quartet, 1971, oil on canvasboard (4 panels) | What an amazing painting. And finally her last

Lina-Bryans-Waterhole-1973

Music of Lina Bryans

In memory of Brian Finemore, Lina Bryans gave one of her major late works, Landscape Quartet, to the National Gallery of Victoria. | Lina Bryans, Landscape Quartet, 1971, oil on canvasboard (4 panels) | What an amazing painting. And finally her last

Lina-Bryans-Face-of-Liru-1965

Lina Bryans You-Beaut

Around the same time Lina Bryans was changing direction, there was a new generation of young curators on the scene in the Australian art world.

Lina-Bryans-Face-of-Liru-1965

Lina Bryans You-Beaut

Around the same time Lina Bryans was changing direction, there was a new generation of young curators on the scene in the Australian art world.

Lina-Bryans-Landscape-1958

Independent Lina Bryans

Independent painter Lina Bryans was known for her portraits.

Lina-Bryans-Landscape-1958

Independent Lina Bryans

Independent painter Lina Bryans was known for her portraits.

Eveline-Syme-Tennis-and-tea-1939

Eveline Syme

Modernist Eveline Syme also attended the George Bell school in Toorak, Melbourne.

Eveline-Syme-Tennis-and-tea-1939

Eveline Syme

Modernist Eveline Syme also attended the George Bell school in Toorak, Melbourne.

Mary-Cecil-Allen

Mary Cecil Allen

Melbourne born Mary Cecil Allen was a very well known artist and educator from the 1930s who after her death was another one of those ladies sidelined by art historians.

Mary-Cecil-Allen

Mary Cecil Allen

Melbourne born Mary Cecil Allen was a very well known artist and educator from the 1930s who after her death was another one of those ladies sidelined by art historians.

Ceci-Beaton-The-Lady-Casey-in-Bengal-Tiger-Suit-1944

Frances Burke

Many students passed through George Bell’s art school.

Ceci-Beaton-The-Lady-Casey-in-Bengal-Tiger-Suit-1944

Frances Burke

Many students passed through George Bell’s art school.

Robert-Goodman-Russell-and-Maisie-Drysdale-1966

Dancing and Painting

George Johnston was very positive about the state of the arts in Australia in 1966.

Robert-Goodman-Russell-and-Maisie-Drysdale-1966

Dancing and Painting

George Johnston was very positive about the state of the arts in Australia in 1966.