The new romantics are alive and well in Britain – Claire Cole Wallpaper and Ceramics
Arguably one of my favorite things to talk about is wallpaper which is funny because in my own designs it was probably my least used element. But I like the stories they tell, and how they can very quickly change the mood of a room. Wallpaper has secretly become the agent provocateur where surface artists can let creativity flow and edginess rules.
From skulls at Graham & Brown to the bold strokes of Tracy Hiner at Black Crow Studios to the geometric playfulness of Given Campbell, rules are made to be broken and that’s fine by me. And then there’s new romanticism and on the edge of that lives Claire Cole.
A piece from her Collage collection most notably found at Ted Baker shops in London.
Here’s a piece from her Garden collection. Claire uses fragments of hand-sourced vintage wallpapers with silks and leather; these are layered and intricately embroidered to create a range of different scenes, patterns and illustrations. Working with traditional wallpaper imagery such as florals and birds, Claire’s designs grow and creep across the walls. Romance with a definite edge.
Wallpaper coat is actually designed as a piece of art rather than wallpaper, but then again in a way all her pieces are that.
And if you’re still not convinced about the edginess of Claire’s work have a look at her teacups. Ceramics being just another medium she gently and romantically “punks” traditional patterns into something else. Has anyone seen Vivienne Westwood lately?
