THE LONG PASSAGE

106 Archibald St looks quite modest from the front but has a long passage. Over time, people have randomly put nails in the wall to hang art but we decided to turn it into a proper gallery. We found Hal the Hanging Man (sculptor, woodwork and art teacher as well) to install an art hanging system and, because I can't currently climb up ladders, start to put some of the art up for us as well.

Part of the appeal of a flexible hanging system is to be able change the art around, particularly in bedrooms, where both Susan and I change doona covers according to the season. At the moment, I have a bed cover of Australian native plants, blossoms and parrots and so the art - admittedly a somewhat random selection - is all in tones of greens: a travel poster from Malaya, two costume drawings by the amazing Gabriella Tyselova from MTC's production of Cyrano de Bergerac, and a poster from that 1974 production of The Merchant of Venice that I mentioned a few posts ago. When summer comes around and I opt for the Mediterranean beach doona, then the walls will be full of water images. 

In terms of colour, we've also broken all the rules and added some colourful blinds and curtains into the lounge/dining area. All the professionals who came in to quote or install express amazement that we've been so bold. After all, such hangings are supposed to be beige or beige or even beige. And to top it all, we've made the connection back to Perth by putting one of Alan and Betty's paintings, bought in 1968, up to enhance the colours. 





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