Outdoor ar t

A n a rti ic choice

Tu r n y o u r y a r d i n t o a n a l f r e s c o g a l l e r y w i t h c r e a t i v e p i e c e s t h a t r e f l e c t y o u r p e r s o n a l f l a i r

word s bethany shea

Outdoor spaces are integral to Australian homes, providing places of refuge, peace, recreation, play and socialisation. A s Australians navigate to a life more focused on home living, it is only natural that we are creating spaces that act as a comfor ting sanctuar y, oozing with personal style. One way that this can be achieved is through ar t.

Outdoor ar t is a true emphasis of selfexpression, allowing us to create focal points within our landscapes that say “Hello, here I am, this is me”. Helen Neyland, sculptor and director of Entanglements, explains; “Ar t allows you to express your own personality and suppor t your lifestyle in your outdoor space." Whether that means congregating with family and friends or enjoying personal peace as you watch the sun rise. “Ever yone is gravitating towards home and making a haven,” says Helen.

A s we face the uncer tainty of the future, now is the time to create the outdoor space that you truly want, and to build a sanctuar y for you and your loved ones to retreat to in any season of life.

CHO O S E YOU R S T Y LE The fi rst step in fi nding the right ar t for your outdoor living space is to decide on the theme or vision that you wish to express. Ar t is an exhibition of personal expression and the benefi t of it being placed outdoors is that you’re not so constricted by furniture placement and pesk y walls; you are free to embrace your wild side and choose ar tistic pieces — big or small — that you would normally balk at putting inside your home.

There are so many styles to consider and the limit is, truly, your own imagination. From a peaceful sanctuar y to a bold expression of personality, ar t will add that unique fl avour your outdoors has been missing.

To create a calming space that celebrates nature and ar t, consider including pieces that depict native scener y, such as wall sculptures, standing sculptures, ornate fi repits and water features. Enhance this theme with nature-inspired pots made from organic materials; leave them empty or fi ll them with lush greener y to fur ther emphasise the feeling of a wild haven. When choosing this type of palette, keep the colours of your ar t pieces neutral with ear thy browns, terracotta oranges and sof t creams. Consider using Cor ten steel for your sculptures and fi repits to introduce a deliciously rustic fi nish and complement the surrounding landscape.

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and tr y something bold and daring. A vibrant sculpture craf ted from unique materials paired with an ar tistic arbour can turn your back yard from basic to bold. Sculptures with unique patterns and planters in vibrant colours can really up the style factor in your space. Of fset the browns and greens that fi ll outdoor landscapes with bright contrasting colours such as reds, purples and even gold, to grab the eye and hold it.

For a more classic look, choose pieces that are

contained within a monochromatic palette in shades of white, grey and black. Consider elegant black pots, silver sculptures in sultr y shapes and white accent pieces to create a cer tain je ne sais quoi that will remain classy and timeless for decades to come.

BA LCO N Y A R T Just because you don’t have a lush green lawn and endless back yard space doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joys of outdoor ar t. With more Australians moving into apar tment living, it is only natural that ar t trends would follow.

An excellent way to add ar t to your balcony without taking up space is through wall ar t. A wall sculpture will transform a plain, blank wall and give the space a lively boost. You could even tr y including a mirror, which is a great way to bring light and the illusion of space to your balcony — and it looks absolutely fabulous, too. Opt for something small for a touch of class or go all out and invest in an ornate fl oor-to- ceiling af fair that boasts a unique design. If you can’t put up large pieces of ar t on the wall, consider instead small hanging sculptures that can be attached by easily removable stick-on hooks, such as wind chimes or macramé planters.

If you have the space, a feature planter that boasts a small tree or shrub can really enhance the atmosphere of a balcony. You can even plant your own little herb or fl ower garden in fun and stylish pots. Don’t be afraid to tr y something dif ferent and choose bold colours and patterns to really bring the space to life.

E LE VATE IT Do you have an ar t piece that you’re par ticularly fond of ? Make it stand out by lif ting it up a notch. Place it on a deck or construct a plinth to keep it in your line of sight at all times — even better if the plinth is made from a complementar y material.

Your ar t pieces can also be elevated without literally placing it on a higher sur face, with the use of accent pieces. Lights that draw attention, such as backlit wall ar t or purposefully placed outdoor lamps can be incredibly ef fective and will enhance the mood of the space. You can also strategically arrange plants around the ar twork to make it pop out of the greener y or be a hidden surprise for any garden wanderers.

At the end of the day, your outdoor space is your own personal haven. Whether it’s a minimalist planter or an abundance of ex travagant sculptures, choose ar t that calls to you and expresses your own individual style.

Above Use complementing mater ia ls to create a cohesive space li ke t his fi repit and screen combo craf ted from r ustic Cor ten steel . entanglements.com .au Opposite right The sacred geometr y of t his fascinating garden scu lpt ure refl ects light from ever y angle and creates a unique ar tistic statement . ingejabaralandscapes.com .au Opposite lef t A contrasting mater ia l pa let te of shiny meta l against sof t greener y helps showcase t he centra l scu lpt ura l element of t his st un ning show ga rden . chrisbeardshaw.com Opposite bottom Get in touch w it h your w i ld side. This fi erce pa nt her scu lpt ure w i l l com ma nd t he at tention of your outdoor space w it h grace a nd st yle. sculptura .com

R E M E M B E R T H E W E AT H E R

It’s impor tant when choosing an ar t piece for your space to be considerate of its location and the complications that can follow. If the piece is exposed to long hours in the sun, its colour could fade over time and, depending on the material, could erode. If it is sitting under trees then leaves, twigs and sap could fall on it, damaging the sur face. Keep these factors in mind when making the decision to purchase ar t for your outdoors.