Typically when decorating a home, people meticulously envision furniture and accessories, textures and finishes, proportions and layout, but they seldom allocate such careful consideration (and budget) to the placement of art. Buying and displaying art can be an overwhelming task, occurring as an afterthought, yet it forms one of the most important pillars in creating a soulful home. We find with most of our clients that they only allow themselves to invest in original art (similar to purchasing a good bed or sofa) once they are a bit older and finally feel entitled to it.

Historically, art has been over intellectualized and buying it has been reserved for a privileged minority. Subject Matter is passionate in our belief that everyone has the right to enjoy art and should consider buying it as important as buying a good comfortable chair. Art is the sofa for your soul.

In essence, buying and showcasing art is an endeavor that opens up a personal inner landscape to observers from the outside world. Knowing yourself and having the confidence to pick a piece that depicts your soul is a mature and sometimes intimidating task. The reality of understanding this aesthetic landscape is a process that sometimes comes only with age. We at Subject Matter hope to guide you along this path by shedding some light on the misperception that art is inaccessible and helping you discover and cultivate your inner interior architect.

We hope to inspire first time buyers to take the leap and buy their first piece of original art and for avid buyers to add to their collection. Browse here.

Image Credit: Francesco Libassi

Francesco Libassi

Francesco Libassi is an Italian photographer living in Tokyo focused on portraying everyday life in Tokyo by capturing human dynamics and the urban landscape. This series titled ‘Urban Oasis’, is described by Libassi:

‘I grew up with a camera in hand but it was only since moving to Tokyo in 2007 that it became a full time obsession. Living in such an immense and chaotic environment my interest in the study of human/metropolis relationship grew deeply. Chaos, noise, lack of space and alienation are daily topics in this metropolis, however often you stumble upon small, empty spaces; an unexpected oasis where time seems to stand still and human presence disappears. This series captures the silence and the stillness of these environments, it reveals a face of Tokyo which is subtle and hidden to most, yet it plays a vital, yet subconscious role in the well-being and sanity of the city's inhabitants.’ 

View his work here: Francesco Libassi / Subject Matter

Image Credit: Phil Miller

Philip Miller

Philip Miller lives and works in London where his career started while shooting bands at the Marquee club in London. The video techniques Miller used when working with the bands remains evident in his stills work today where he creates layering of all types of imagery.

His work is often a commentary on a period of time or destination. Images are married together to create textures of the final print with the use of projections and multiple exposures.

Miller mixes 35mm film with digital and extracts images from video to give these prints their distinctive feel. The photographs are developed through projections and multiple exposures to create new imagery and stories.  Color and composition are very important in the blending of imagery for this artists and he does not use Photoshop.

Miller is a former winner of the BBC London photographic competition and has exhibited work in four solo shows in London and at the Cannes film festival.

View his collection here: Philip Miller / Subject Matter

Image Credit: Design Analog

A 450 metre-long snaking white tent located between Manhattan, Bronx and Queens on Randall’s Island popped up in May to mark the start of NYC’s first Frieze Art Fair. If you are heartbroken like us that you missed it, here is the perfect anecdote, a beautiful photo and video diary by Steven Chu of the daily events.

Image Credit: World Press Photo

Every year we can’t wait for this exhibition to open being the best visual summary of the key events in our world for the last 12 months. With around 100 local exhibitions produced annually, the World Press Photo exhibition tour of prize-winning photographs is the most popular traveling photo event in the world.

This exhibition will travel to 100 cities in 45 countries so make sure not to miss it if it’s in a city near you. More details and exhibition dates can be found here: http://www.worldpressphoto.org/events