Art and Design Inspiration
The Art and Colours of The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is considered to be one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth. Located in Arizona, United states, the Grand Canyon is a steep-sided rock formation carved by the Colorado River, which has eroded the environment for millions of years. The site is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, as well as being extremely important for Native American tribes, who have lived in the area for many generations.
With the Grand Canyon being over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep, it’s distinctive rock formations and vibrant colors provide a rich visual tapestry for artists and designers to draw inspiration from. The Grand Canyon’s influence can be seen over a wide range of artistic disciplines, from painting and photography to fashion and graphic design. Artists such as David Hockney, Thomas Moran, and Ansel Adams have all created iconic works that capture the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Due to the vast open space and rugged terrain, the environment has often been used as a powerful symbol to convey a sense of adventure, exploration and beauty. In this blog post, we will explore the Grand Canyon’s effect on contemporary artists as well as it’s inspiration behind our Vibrant Contemporary Rugs.
Image taken by Sonya on her trip in 2020.
“A Bigger Grand Canyon” was painted by Hockney in 1998. It is an oil-on-canvas painting that measures 7x14ft (2.15×4.25m). Although this painting is an ode to the Grand Canyon, Hockney’s take on the landscape is anything but traditional.
The iconic piece is made up of 60 separate canvases, each measuring 36×48 inches and arranged in a grid, creating a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. The different canvases are not arranged in a specific order, making the audience feel a sense of chaos and confusion. It could be said that Hockney did this to reflect how small you feel when looking at the Grand Canyon in person, as Hockney has described it as having “no focal point”, and the expansive conditions make it hard to gather your surroundings all at once.
‘A Bigger Grand Canyon’ (1988) by David Hockney
One of the first things that strikes you about “A Bigger Grand Canyon” is the vibrant colours. Hockney’s use of colour is bold and expressive, with bright pinks, oranges, and yellows dominating the canvas. The colors are not meant to be realistic representations of the Grand Canyon, but instead they are an interpretation of the emotional impact the Grand Canyon has on the artist. Hockney has said that he wanted to capture the “spiritual” quality of the Grand Canyon, rather than its physical appearance.
Color is key to Hockney’s work because rather than using traditional perspective techniques to create the illusion of depth, he opts for using flat planes of colour to give a suggestion of depth. The painting is almost abstract in its composition, with the different canvases creating a sense of movement and energy. As you look at the painting, your eye is drawn to different parts of the canvas, capturing the sense of awe and wonder that Hockney must of felt when he visited the Grand Canyon.
This year in 2023, a new exhibition called ‘Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’ has opened at Lightroom, located in London’s Kings Cross, showcasing “A Bigger Grand Canyon” and many more of Hockney’s works in an immersive experience. To find out more, read our previous blog post, ‘Top London Art Exhibitions of 2023’.
David Hockney’s Exhibition, ‘Bigger and Closer’ 2023
Much like David Hockney, Sonya Winner also became inspired by natural beauty when she visited the Antelope Canyon near the Arizona-Utah border, two hours away from the Grand Canyon. During a trip in early 2020, Sonya became fascinated with the connection the Canyon had on the landscape and the effect it had on the people that live there. This sparked the ever-popular ‘Antelope Canyon Rug Collection’, as well as the more recent 2023 launch of the contemporary ‘Antelope Canyon Runners’.
The Antelope Canyon luxury rug and runner series features a range of colorways, each of which captures a different aspect of the Canyon’s unique beauty. The ‘Mist’ colourway offers a neutral rug which is reminiscent of the early morning haze at the Canyon. The design is created in a careful balance of warm greys and satin whites which create a peaceful, sophisticated atmosphere. Moving into the blazing heat of the Arizona desert, the ‘Twilight’ colourway is a colorful rug inspired by the way the setting sun glints off the walls, throwing long shadows and creating dramatic highlights. The unique red colouring of the rocks is deepened by the rich glow of sunset, and the deep purples and oranges are akin to the vibrant works of the Hockney featured above. Finally, the ‘Pool’ colorway was created by the tranquil image of the after-rain light and water pools gathering inside the Canyon. The green and blue colours combined with the flowing organic shapes recreates the peace that comes with being in nature.
If you desire a more colourful rug, the ‘Colour Canyon’ Rug and Runner are a playful spin off from the Antelope Canyon Rug Series. This complex luxury art rug celebrates the union of vibrant color and calming organic shapes. The soft dynamism within the design echoes the way in which the Canyon has been shaped by the elements for millions of years, creating an elegant flow of natural forms. Being one of our most ambitions colour mixing projects to date, the Colour Canyon rug is composed of 85 hand dyed 100% New Zealand Wool colours. This colorful rug is sure way to bring refreshing in any interior.
The Colour Canyon Runner by Sonya Winner
Many artists and designers like Sonya Winner and David Hockney look to nature as their muse because of the endless source of visual and sensory stimulation. Natural landscapes can evoke a range of emotions and feelings, from awe and wonder to tranquillity and peace. The patterns and textures found in wildlife can be abstracted into new forms and designs, creating fresh and innovative expressions of beauty. Furthermore, nature provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life, offering a space for reflection, relaxation, and renewal.
It is for this reason and many others that an increasing number of people choose to incorporate art and furniture inspired by the natural world into their homes, as studies have shown that it can help to reduce stress. By surrounding yourself with nature-inspired art, you can create a peaceful and inspiring home environment that promotes wellness and enhances your quality of life.
Sonya at the Antelope Canyon in 2020, next to her inspired Runner Collection.
Now that you know a little bit more about what inspires our Vibrant Contemporary Rugs, bring a piece of the outdoor in and discover our full luxury colourful rug collection here.
If finding the perfect rugs is a time-consuming task, we’re here to help you. Make the right choice with our free Digital Visualisation service. Just send us pictures of your space and we will digitally drop in a variety of our contemporary rugs to find the perfect one for your room. To find out more about this service, click here.
