Moodboard of 10 visual research references which could have influenced the “Bedsit” collection by Timorous Beasties

Bedsit Collection

I have decided to look at Timorous Beasties’ “Bedsit” collection.

The contemporary print makers studied together at Glasgow school of Art and some of their work depicts their student days whilst studying in Glasgow during the 1980’s.

It could be said therefore, that the designers were inspired by the Art and Craft Movement and, their art school experience. They create dramatic, contrasting prints which ooze with creativity through bold, bright, exciting combinations of colour. Their prints are filled with imagination, craziness and freedom, which is how art schools are perceived.

In the 1980’s, Glasgow was struck with poverty and their “bedsit” collection was inspired by their student accommodation and the general idea of grotty, dirty bedsits.

Their wallpaper print seems simple. From a distance, a single line of pattern runs around the paper however, only when you take a closer look, do you realise the single line is actually insects following each other. The designers wanted to change the “stereotyped” concept of bug-ridden, poor accommodation, to create a response from the audience that shows the prints to be beautiful and luxurious, whatever the subject matter. “That’s one of the things a designer should do out of duty, changing the way that people have preconceived ideas.” Paul Simmons, one half of the brand, wants viewers to change their thoughts, through producing prints which, from the surface, look bold and bright but underneath, have a personal response from the designers experience.

Alexander McQueen’s “Plato’s Atlantis” collection reminded me of the “bedsit” prints due to the bright, bold colours that seem to have a kaleidoscope based print. It could be said that both designers were inspired by what is perceived as ugly and dirty, but is actually beautiful. As McQueen said, ““I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it”.

Bibliography

• Anon., 2016. Arts and Crafts. [Online] Available at: www.vam.ac.uk/page/a/arts-and-crafts/ [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Anon., 2016. Timorous Beasties: The Devil in the Detail. [Online] Available at: www.vam.ac.uk/content/videos/t/video-timorous-beasties-the-devil-in-the-detail/ [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Anon., n.d. Chic Blotch wallpaper. [Online] Available at: www.timorousbeasties.com/shop/wallcoverings/61/chic-blotch-wallpaper/ [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Anon., n.d. Movement and Shape | Nyasha Matonhodze by Sølve Sundsbø for Vogue Japan November 2011. [Online] Available at: https://noirfacade.livejournal.com/1013172.html [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Art, P. S. o., 2016. Plymouth School of Art Calender. [Online] Available at: https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/calendar/timorous-beasties-exhibition [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Auguste, C., n.d. [Online] Available at: http://www.meublepeint.com/toile-de-jouy.htm [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• FAFA, 2010. Alexander McQueen Tribute: Top 10 Fashion Moments. [Online] Available at: http://www.tonguechic.com/style-snaps/alexander-mcqueen-tribute-gallery-and-video/ [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Gilbert, J., 2016. Raymond Depardon’s stunning photos of 1980s Glasgow to feature in city exhibition. [Online] Available at: http://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/raymond-depardons-stunning-photos-1980s-11318306 [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Jeffries, S., 2007. The Writhing On The Wall. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2007/feb/08/design.britishidentity [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Packer, S., 2016. In Pictures: Tactile textiles, bugs and bedsits, Timorous Beasties take over The Gallery. [Online] Available at: https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/latest/blog/in-pictures-tactile-textiles-bugs-and-bedsits-timorous-beasties-take-over-t [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Pain, A., 2016. Explosive and Alluringly Beautiful – ‘Bedsit’ by Timorous Beasties at the PCA Gallery, Plymouth. [Online] Available at: https://costumecritiques.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/explosive-and-alluringly-beautiful.html [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• Treggiden, K., 2014. [Online] Available at: https://www.we-heart.com/2014/02/25/timorous-beasties-interview/ [Accessed 1 December 2017].
• unknown, 2016. Artist’s Statement: Timorous Beasties’ Alistair McAuley on creating a Bedsit in a gallery. [Online] Available at: http://www.culture24.org.uk/art/architecture-and-design/art548904-timorous-beasties-art-alistair-mcauley-plymouth  [Accessed 1 December 2017].