Artwork (and decorating) is such a delicate topic in our house, mainly because my husband and I have such opposite tastes. On the one hand it can be maddening, on the other hand, it's balancing. The things hanging on my office walls generally wouldn't fly elsewhere in the house; the same could be said for what hangs on his office walls, ha! We're getting good about compromising! Still, I was pretty shocked when I showed him this print and found he loved it as much as I did!
Chris' work seems to be very graphic novel-oriented and while we've never read graphic novels, this piece really spoke to us. From the text to the colors to the symbolism, we really felt this was something we wanted in our home.
Another thing: we're fans of religious art. I appreciate other art as well, but I personally seem to find so many more layers and points to ponder in a piece of religious art. Some I like are more subtle than others; this is clearly less than subtle. This piece is heavily based on Matthew 22:37:
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The verse he actually quotes in Matthew 22:37 comes from earlier in the Bible, Deuteronomy 6:5, which is preceded by the Shema (6:4). All in all, very cool connectedness for Christians, especially those aware of their faith's Jewish roots. I could easily go all fan-girl on this topic as well as Chris Koelle's talent (and of his wife, goodness!), but I'll restrain myself. =)
So here it hangs, in a funny little alcove between our living room and dining room, and over the little leather bag. We were never sure what to hang here because it's a space you see all the time and it needed something that could stand on its own. I think we found the perfect solution.
Be sure to read the Koelle blog, see their Etsy shop, and check out Chris' website as well as his wife, Annie's website (she also used to help with the now-closed-but-still-amazing Royal Buffet shop).
What about you all? Who decides what hangs on your walls? Is it a democracy or a dictatorship in your house? Any favorite artists or genres?
3 comments :
Well it is a bit of both worlds…but no art really, mostly photos of places and things we like…since we miss London so much we have decided to create a picture frame wall only with images from London. It has now been three months since we put some A4 pages on the wall to mark where the frames will go…we must get it sorted this weekend, yes definitely this weekend :-)
Hey Juliette, this is a great blog! And I love this artist you've shared, I'm really inspired by his style (and his subject!). I hope you're having a great summer :)
--Daphne
I did not know this artist! And now I love him! Thanks for sharing. As for our walls...bare. I have a pile but since we don't know if we're leaving in six months or whatever, I can't commit to anything. Ugh. But I do have a pile of potentials. Maybe I'll get there...
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