trends long before anyone else. We always like to see what influence ‘Color of the Year’ has, and where our shades end up. The world of electronics, for example, from the colour of headphones to laptop casings, or the metallic world which is abuzz with rose gold, a shade from the same family as Rose Quartz. We see the application of our colours in homeware, from coffee pots to textiles to wall coverings, in the floral industry, in wedding colour schemes, in confectionery, cosmetics, the list is endless. However, we are not dictatorial, we simply aim to start a conversation about colour. If people are engaged by colour, and find themselves talking about it, that may lead them down the path of using more colour and being bolder and braver in their
creativity to be stifled by a rigid observance of colour theory. People’s natural abilities differ; some are born with abilities and instincts, some people have to study to learn that craft, neither is better or worse than the other. Children approach colour wonderfully – give a child a box of crayons and they will pull out the colours that they find most appealing, and start to scribble with as many or few other colours as they please, regardless of the combination. Until such a time that they are told; “no, you never use these colours together – you should use…” This is why I believe in guidelines for colour rather than rules, because there are ways to use discord in colour – often to great effect. Which is why I think that colour theory and instinct should go hand in hand, because the rules give a great foundation but at the end of the day you have to obey that little voice inside your own head. My advice would always be, go with what speaks to you, as there will always be a reason it’s your favourite colour. You may not be aware of that reason, or be able to articulate it, but believe me it’s there. It might trigger something from childhood, it might evoke a happy memory or sensation, something to make you smile and feel happy or at peace. It might even be the reverse and explain why you have an aversion to some shades! The psychology and emotional impact of colour dictate how and why we choose colour, so it should never be ignored or overruled. DOES THAT ALSO APPLY TO ART…? In my experience, often people who have attended the talks I give at museums and galleries – a recent event being about Andy Warhol at the Guggenheim in Bilbao – are often drawn to their artist of choice because of how that artist uses colour, again, because the colour evokes a particularly positive reaction within them. Many times,
an artist may use colour in a way that would never occur to you, which is all the more intriguing; it makes you consider
how they’ve been used together, and why? I find that walking through a gallery or museum
and absorbing all the different ways that artists use colour very freeing and empowering, as though so many other routes have been opened up to me.
HOW IS THE USE OF COLOUR CHANGING?
The automotive industry is a great example to use here, as they spend a great deal of time and money on developing their colour ranges. Whilst we’re not seeing new colours emerging, we are seeing a new generation of finishes, which give new life to existing colours. Colour, and its application, has changed throughout history – and will continue to do so, I’m sure. For example, in the early 1990s in the USA we saw a dip in the economy, which coincided with a turn in the music industry to bring about grunge – which carried a certain despair and angst, reflected in some of the fashion at the time. However, shortly afterwards we had the dot com revolution and we started to see a reintroduction of colour across the board. Even the new wave of computers, particularly the announcement of the iMac, saw enhanced brightness, coupled with the extravagance of that era, meaning we witnessed a huge reversal and shift within only a ten year period. IN YOUR OWN HOME, HOWDO YOU COMBINE YOUR LOVE FOR COLOURWITH YOUR ART? I recently reworked some of the colours in my home and my office – and bear in mind I have to keep the
choices. I think it also encourages a greater appreciation of colour. It really tickles me to hear (or overhear, I should
say) people discussing colour, especially our ‘Color of
the Year’. I was on a flight recently when I overheard a conversation taking place between a lady and gentleman in the row behind me, and they debated for quite some time the colour combination and how it could be applied. COLOUR THEORY OR INSTINCT? I find colour theory fascinating, as there’s both a science to colour as well as an art to colour. Taking the most basic of tools, the colour wheel, it gives a very good grounding for someone that has never been trained in colour but wants to learn more. However, I would hate for anyone’s individual
18 FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN 2016
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