Power of Colours | Mylands X Shapero Modern

The Power of Colour

Shapero Modern & Beata Heuman Collab

At the launch, a panel of speakers explored the significance of colour in art and design. Kassia St. Clair, author of ‘The Secret Lives of Colour,’ discussed the cultural history of colours, while Heuman offered insight into how the colour is more than a decorative tool – it’s a language that transforms spaces and conveys emotion.

From left to right: Busola Evans, Kassia St. Clair, Beata Heuman, Dominic Mylands

The Dependables Palette

In the world of art colour influences not only the aesthetic appeal but also the emotional depth of a piece. For example, let’s look at Peter Doig’s Country Rock, which was selected by Heuman as part of her curated choice of artworks, and which was hung against a Scandinavian blue background (‘Stockholm’) in our Bond Street gallery. Doig’s use of subdued sepia tones are sharply contrasted by a vibrant rainbow at the centre, honing the viewers gaze and evoking feelings of nostalgia and emotional resonance.

Peter Doig, Country Rock, 2000

Similarly, Frank Stella’s Libertinia presents a vivid display of colour that exudes energy and vitality. Stella’s exploration of bold, contrasting colours brings the artwork to life, filling the space with movement and excitement.

Frank Stella, Libertinia, from Imaginary Places, 1995

Meanwhile, Helen Frankenthaler, a pioneering figure in the Colour Field movement, used pure colour in fluid, abstract compositions to express spontaneity and emotional depth. Her emphasis on simplicity and unrestrained colour created a timeless aesthetic that continues to influence contemporary art.

Colour is an essential element in both art and design, bridging the gap between aesthetic and emotional impact