Although working from home is now the new norm for most people, artists have been doing it for centuries!
Due to this not only are artists world-class experts on working alone from home, but they have also perfected the WFH set-up.
Here we display artists who have just that – a great set-up, to inspire us to re-imagine how we can re-arrange our home offices.
Go minimal like Claude Monet. A clearer space can inspire a clearer mind to help you feel more productive!
Make sure your workspace gets a lot of light like German-French abstract painter, Hans Hartung’s studio, by situating yourself next to a window. With tall ceilings and an entire glass window wall, his space affords a beautiful view of a nice meadow dotted with trees. It must be lovely and quite inspirational to be able to see the changing seasons while working on paintings throughout the year.
Stay organised and use a filing system like Keith Haring, who worked in a fifth-floor studio in Manhattan from 1985 to 1990.
Create a comfy corner for ad-hoc breaks à la Roy Lichtenstein.
Surround yourself with your beautiful accomplishments like Joan Miro.
Purchase some plants like Georgia O’keeffe to bring some life into your office space.
No colleagues to vent to when you are angry with a client …no problem. Install a punching bag in your office space to release your stress onto like Christopher Wool has done.
If you are working from home everyday now how about adopting a furry friend to keep you company like Maya Lin ?
Invest in the best technology and create mood boards for inspiration. Also a comfy chair like Pipilotti Rists is completely necessary.
You may not be able to see from this image, but Frida Kahlo’s studio was decorated in vibrant hues – including the exterior of her home a brilliant blue. Like Kahlo, why not surround yourself with happy colours to brighten the mood. She also made modifications in her home due to her disability to help her work better. Your home office area is for you, so tweak it to support your needs.
Surround yourself with beautiful things like Pablo Picasso. In fact Picasso was so inspired by his studio that it was the subject of his artworks 12 times. The studio was inside of ‘La Californie’, the villa near Cannes where Picasso and his partner Jacqueline Roque had moved in the summer of 1955. The large nineteenth-century villa at the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain, was built in Art Nouveau style and had extensive views towards the coast. Picasso used the large main salon on the ground floor as his studio as well as the place where he received and entertained friends and dealers.
And when lockdown is fully lifted invite your pals over to your workspace. Whether it is to collaborate on a project or throw a party like Andy Warhol did, inspire others!