Question for abstract artists

July 1, 2024 11:02 AM

Hi all! I’ve got a question. I have a huge (4x8ish?) painting given by a friend that I love (I love both the painting and the friend). It’s a colour field, full of interesting textures and shades. I'd like to hang it sideways. I'd definitely ask the artist before doing it, but I'm curious if I'm likely to cause offence. (more below)

I’ve hung it in a few different apartments now, always kind of making it the centerpiece of the whole place. I’ve just moved into a smaller place, and it’s hard to figure out where to hang it. If I hang it vertically, (the way he hung it), a large portion will be behind a table. (The table isn’t right up against it, but makes it hard to find a position where you can see the painting in its entirety.

I want to ask him if I can hang it horizontally, which would again, really make it the centre of the whole apartment, but I’m wondering if even asking that would cause offence. Like, it’s not representative, so it wouldn’t look wrong to a random person, but it was painted with intent and I want to respect that.

We’re pretty close, so I’ll probably just ask, but I guess I was curious if even asking would convey carelessness, y’know? So I thought I’d ask what others think. Please mention if you're an abstract artist. Your thoughts are appreciated!

posted by LRAD_der to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

Depends on the artist. I have some very large abstract expressionist paintings that the artist has said don’t have any particular orientation. But other artists may think about their work differently. I think it would be fine to ask the artist, especially if you convey your reasoning. And if the artist says that it’s really meant to go only in one orientation, you have your answer. It’s definitely a reasonable question to have, because some abstract artists genuinely don’t care. One never can tell who will take offense at what, but I have a hard time imagining an artist bristling at your question considering that you’re specifically asking out of respect for the creator and the creator’s intent.
posted by slkinsey at 11:17 AM on July 1 [3 favorites]

Best answer: It won't convey carelessness if you ask it in a way that reflects that you have put thoughtful consideration into the question and you respect the artist's intention.

If the artist feels strongly about the orientation, he will be glad you asked and he knows that you will respect his vision. If the artist doesn't care or believes that the art be out in the world doing its own thing, he will still be glad that you asked.

Either way, I would say that asking shows respect, not carelessness.
posted by metahawk at 11:20 AM on July 1 [10 favorites]

I agree with the other comments that it will depend on the artist and on how you ask. An additional consideration for you is where it is signed. When I sign my work, it's after I've thought about the orientation -- what I mean is that the orientation is part of my artistic process. My painting teacher, who shows nationally and has representation, has a different approach--he lets the buyer/collector decide the orientation, and only signs the piece then (unless it's a piece he's showing, in which case, he's made those decisions already). My point here is to illustrate that every artist's approach to what orientation is "right" is different.
posted by OrangeDisk at 11:28 AM on July 1 [1 favorite]

I am an artist but not an abstract artist. I personally believe you should do whatever the heck you want with it, and the artist shouldn't be "checking up" on whether you still have it or where you hang it or which way up.

However, if you are indeed dealing with a sensitive soul, all bets are off. I would ask and hope it's not a problem. Sure yes, asking is polite.
EDIT: Sorry, missed that it's a close friend. Just ask! I bet it will be fine.

I would NOT hang it in my own place in a way I do not like, or like less, just in case the sensitive artist were to see that it's not hanging the way they thought it should. Even if the signature will be in the wrong place.
posted by Glinn at 11:39 AM on July 1 [1 favorite]

I'm blessed with a few art pieces made by friends of mine, and I even asked a question about how to frame one once. The answer was "ask her" and I'm so happy I did. Ask your friend for sure.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:48 AM on July 1 [1 favorite]

Is it possible to explain that your place is smaller and ask your friend to come over and help with ideas?
posted by mightshould at 12:02 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]

Just asked my abstract artist husband and he said it depends on the the piece, some have an intended orientation, others are more flexible. He said he'd be totally fine with and appreciative of being asked!
posted by platinum at 12:30 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]

You could ask the question, but the artist probably cannot answer without seeing the work in both orientations. If you must ask, send photos.

Perhaps the artist seriously studied the work and set the orientation on purpose. However, if the artist works alone and does not have a collaborator to give feedback, the artist might not have considered other orientations. Sometimes you get tunnel vision. Again, if the artist had not experimented with the work in various orientations, they would not know until they see it if the other way is acceptable.
posted by shock muppet at 12:45 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]

as an artist, I'd be happy to be asked - in fact hanging an abstract piece a different way can help you look at it with new eyes, and appreciate new things about it. When you are asking your friend, that is something else you can say you're interested in, as well as it fitting better into your space.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:58 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]

I think asking is great, especially since you love this and want to display it prominently in your home!

And since this is a friend, maybe the friend would be happy to make you something to fit in the space that you have. I am an extremely amateur artist (I don't mean that in a self-deprecating way -- I just make art for my own pleasure, primarily) but if a friend saw something I made and said "I love that but I'd also love something like it in blue tones," or whatever, I'd happily oblige.

(I do think it's important that this was a gift from a friend and not a purchase from a friend and that you want to continue to make this the focal point of your living space.)
posted by edencosmic at 2:41 PM on July 1

a colour field, full of interesting textures and shades
with abstract canvases/texture, lighting matters. there are many things you can do with a wall. that you are choosing to hang this particular work by your friend is significant. the vertical/table option is interesting. is the table glass?

curious if even asking would convey carelessness, y’know?
balancing a central wall against a glass table (thinking about ways a piece might reflect with table still life;-) if you want to show care, that's a way to frame the question
posted by HearHere at 12:03 AM on July 2

Response by poster: Thanks all,
I followed consensus and asked. I sent photos of a couple spots, one where it would hang vertically but in a less central location, and the spot where it would hang horizontally. I mentioning that I liked the spot where it would be horizontal because then it could be right in the centre of the apartment, but I gave him the choice.
No offence was taken, and he chose the central spot. He's coming over for a beer next week, and I'll make sure it's hanging in the spot of honor by then.
posted by LRAD_der at 10:46 AM on July 3 [2 favorites]