ART IN THE WORKPLACE
Here are some of the many benefits of having art in the workplace:
1. Art can reflect the ethos of the workplace
2. Art can create an ambiance or 'feeling' in a workplace setting
3. Art can reflect the firm's ability to think and 'see' things creatively
4. Art can be uplifting for the client upon entering the building/office
5. Art can be a meeting place where both client and firm representative can meet
6. Art can foster a relationship between the business and the art world
7. A business displaying art in the workplace makes a difference in both areas
8. Artwork can help to 'break the ice', easing everyone into the business at hand with ease and comfort
9. Art immediately transform a place of business into an warm and intimate environment
10. Art can be helpful in the adjustment to the workplace for a client
11. Art can be helpful in the adjustment to the workplace for the staff.
This summer, the firm of ROWLANDS WEBSTER (Tax Advisors & Accountants) asked me to install some paintings in their office in Westbourne, Bournemouth.
First, I visited their office to look at the space. Their open-plan office consists of a waiting space containing a comfortable leather sofa, one large wrap-around desk (belonging to Janice Jane Webster) and two small desks, back to back, which are used by staff members Heather and Jordan. Beside the wrap-around desk there is a glassed-in office belonging to Mark Rowlands. The whole area is well lit with diffused lighting from the ceiling and three windows, and there are many healthy plants throughout the space.
The staff and I talked about what they would like in their office. We agreed on a large abstract over the sofa, a grouping of four paintings in Mark's office and one medium- size drawing on the blank wall behind Heather's desk.
Next, Janice visited my studio to choose the paintings:
Jacob's Dream -- the large abstract over the sofa
Little Red Paintings numbers 2, 3, 8 & 9 -- the grouping for Mark's office
Drawing No. 24 from The Childhood Study: Fallen Idols -- for the blank wall
We settled on the date of 29 July for the installation, and agreed that I could take before-and-after photos.
Everyone felt that the installation of the paintings transformed the office immediately. The whole of the floor area became an integrated, intimate space, warm and friendly. Everyone also agreed that Fallen Idols did not meet their expectations, as it tended to 'flatten' the area. In other words, what had previously been a blank wall was neutralised even more with the drawing in place. It was felt that the strength of the other paintings tended to minimalise the drawing. The drawing will need to be changed. We also felt that there were a couple of places that could take smaller works.
