What is Series
Modernism – Innovating Design Styles in the 20th Century
Modernism is a term the art and design community of our contemporary western world has adopted to describe a diverse range of architectural and interior decorative styles, as well as applied and graphic arts created between approximately 1880 and 1940 on an international scale.
What is an Antique?
What is an Antique? An antique is something made in a previous era. However, according to antique dealers, their associations and the tax man, it is not really that simple at all.
Flights of Garden Fantasy – Inspiring the Human Spirit
Growing beds of flowers is part of the delights of gardening and only one aspect of an ever evolving story that satisfies the human spirit to a profound degree.
What Is Art Deco – Does it Celebrate Life as Art?
Art Deco was about integrating contemporary living with art, and turning life into art, against those consciously working for the undoing of art and its purpose was enjoyment.
Portraits – Restoration to Revolution & the Age of Romance
Portraiture, established as a genre in England during the sixteenth century, became part of a national ‘persona’ style during the eighteenth century
Art Nouveau – Was this Style More than a Tendril in Time?
At the turn of the 20th century Europe was inspired by the style Art Nouveau as artists and architects produced sensuous, sinuous lines far more eloquent than words
Portraits – From The Middle Ages to Restoration England
Portraiture is a language of expression with its own grammar and vocabulary. During the fourteenth century paintings of individuals were given a third dimension
Portraits – From Ancient Egypt to Medieval England
What is the test of a great portrait – is it about the power of the artist to enter the sitter’s emotions and convey their feelings so we might experience empathy?
Chinoiserie – Pavilions, Porcelains and Passionate Pursuits
By the eighteenth century in Europe and England all things Chinese had assumed incredible proportions as fashionable society sought to transmit their ideas about the magical land of Cathay through a multiplicity of imagery.
The Culture Concept Circle – You Tube Channel
On our You Tube Channel you will find our mini-documentaries, which provide an insight into the evolution of art, design, music, fashion and style.
What is a Ute – An Icon and Aussie Bloke’s Style Accessory
Already an Aussie Icon all we need now is for Clarke, Hammond and May to come down under and be given the funds to buy an old Aussie Ute, a quintessential Aussie Bloke’s accessory, to complete a Top Gear challenge.
The Rococo Style – Sophisticated and Yet Enchantingly Pretty
The Rococo style was delicately elegant with a distinct preference for asymmetry. It was presided over by France’s King Louis XV’s mistress, Madame du Pompadour, a sophisticated lady of impeccable style.
Ancient Rome – An Important Precinct of Power and Glory
During the reign of Augustus (31BC – 14ACE) Rome emerged as an economically successful city with a population approaching one million. To become a free citizen of Rome was considered a great honour.
Whoever you were if you were born within the boundaries of the Roman Empire you had the right to hold the highest office in the State. Under Augustus the concept of an eternal Rome emerged, revealing its link to the legendary past and its promise of a new era.
Love Jewellery from Cupid to Cartier
When people today talk about jewels, jewellery, gemmology and gems it is clear the vocabulary has become confused. Gemstones are treasured minerals found in the earth. ‘Gems’ are the objects fashioned from them. Jewels are gem ready for mounting into jewellery and other objects of art. And, jewellery – it is the finished product that if its designer from Cupid to Cartier has succeeded, adorns its wearer well.
The Lady and the Unicorn and ‘Millefleurs’ Style Tapestries
In the late medieval period of the fifteenth century the now famous millefleurs tapestries first appear characterized by their backgrounds made of hundreds of tiny flowers. The most well known in this style are known as La Dame á la Licorne, or the Lady & the Unicorn. A group of six tapestries they are woven from a combination of woolen, silk and gold thread and have exercised an almost universal fascination on all those who have encountered them for hundreds of years.
Classic Architecture, is it more than a Column?
Classical architecture reflects the very nature of a society, its attitudes and philosophies, fashion and passions. It provides us with an insight into the cultural development of ancient Greece and Rome at any given time in their history.
Asides
Watch our free video
Shanghai Scenes
Explore the delights of the burgeoning Shanghai arts scene, including the visual arts music, dance and literature.
