ART DECO

Art deco is a global inspiration art form with a wide-ranging style that draws on many sources; it was the firstly embraced design movement by artists and artisans (artistic craftsmen that work alone or in small groups and make furniture, clothes or even food creatively) across the world. The term ‘art deco’ originated from Paris from the 1925 art exposition at le muse des arts decoratifs. The exposition was meant to be a display of nouveau designs from around the world, but U.S. Secretary of commerce Herbert Hoover declared Americans off limits from entering, as he felt no contemporary architecture was “new” enough. The 1925 french art exposition “international des Arts decoratifs” served as the element for designers mixing exotic glamour with clean, masculine lines. It is captivated by much of the style of the roaring twenties and the great depression era. During the styles uprising, it was referred to as ‘Style Moderne’ and ‘Art Moderne’ by strict critics such as Jazz Modern. The term ‘jazz’ was an insulting term in traditional circles.

Bevis Hillier

Art deco was not published until 1968, were British art historian Bevis Hiller published ‘art deco of the 20’s and 30s’ that the name finally stuck; but due to the fashion era of the twenties evolving into a more modernised design in the thirties, some designers continued to have their doubts about identifying a collection that could be accurately labelled Art Deco. Although in 2003, a large exhibition on Art Deco was hosted by Victoria & Albert museum, finally confirming its acceptance as a genuine and distinct style of its time. Designers continue to pay a tribute to the art forum of Art Deco today, through architecture, furniture, furnishings, objects, art, fashion and jewellery. Reinterpreting the movement for the 21^st century. The London Art Deco society celebrates this by featuring Art deco new waves venues. 

One of the inspired artists that interests me from this art form is Tamara de lempicka. Her work was of portraits of writers, entertainers, artists, scientists and industrialists; it consisted mainly of rich and successful people. No one from underclass, since In her childhood she was spoilt by the age of 14 by her grandmother with clothes and travel, after her parents were divorced. This is what bought her, her critical acclaim, social celebrity and considerable wealth.  After her second husband death she went on to live near her daughter to start painting with different materials such as a palette knife, much in vogue at the time.