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Colour Spectrum

Within the visual arts, colour is often the element that has the strongest effect on our emotions; one colour can change the whole mood and atmosphere of an artwork. Colours can determine so much in a work, from light to tone, to pattern, form, contrast and the overall harmony. The colours available and the pigments used have evolved throughout art history, from the prehistoric red ochres to Yves Klein's deep blues. The inventions of new pigments have often accompanied new art movements, like Impressionism.

As the multiple colourful idioms used in English to describe our mood show, we often use colours to express our feelings. We are “red" with rage, “green" with envy, we've got the “blues" when we are feeling sad, and we are tickled “pink" when we are happy. Picasso's melancholic “Blue Period" proves how colours are used in the art to transcribe a specific mood or emotion. While colours remain subjective and each may experience sensations differently, it has been scientifically proven that certain colours trigger specific emotions in our brain.

If you are looking for a splash of colour to brighten any gloomy days, our “Colour Explosion" selection is made for you. Takashi Murakami's rainbow-like flowers and smiling faces won't fail to spark joy and happiness. If you'd prefer something more minimalist, you'll also find monochromatic paintings. Emblematic of contemporary art to a certain extent and especially popular in the 1950s and 60s, emerging contemporary artists are still exploring the possibilities of monochrome work like Casper Kang's blue series.

The elegant and rare quality of the gold has not ceased to inspire artists. From ancient Egypt to Catholic churches, to Renaissance gold leaf paintings and Gustav Klimt's Kiss. Our “Golden Touch" selection showcases artists that continue to work in the gold tradition. Gold is particularly popular among contemporary sculptors; Stan Wycoski's abstract gold statues are a great way to add a golden glow to your environment, while Philippe Pasqua's famous skulls and butterflies are both morbid and beautiful.

If colour is not your thing, some artists are taking the opposite stance by experimenting with the creative opportunities that black and white art can offer. Initially used in photography, painters and illustrators are now studying the unique intensity that the combination of these two colours creates. The world-famous artist Pierre Soulages popularised black with his series of paintings focused on the colour. Contemporary artist Pierre Blanchard is using contrast and light to create abstract and enigmatic paintings, only every hinting a scenery, like a landscape or a wave.

From intense reds to soothing blues, multi-coloured swirls to monochromatic artworks, discover how contemporary artists are utilising the whole colour spectrum in their artworks.