Blog

When most people think of Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Campbell’s Soup cans, Brillo boxes, dollar signs and large luminous screenprint portraits of icons such Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Chairman Mao spring to mind.  These all date from the 1960s onwards when he exploded on the art scene as a founder and leading exponent of American Pop Art. However a mere few years earlier we see a surprisingly charming and playful side of Warhol when he was a jobbing commercial artist, and this period has not yet reached the stratospheric prices of his Pop Art.

In the mid, to late 50s Warhol created some delightful artist books including In the Bottom of my Garden, which was hand coloured and published by Warhol himself in limited numbers and which he then gave to clients and close friends.  Each image is peopled with dumpy little putti or fairies frolicking amongst flowers; this is probably the nearest Warhol got to whimsy, however on close inspection there is a naughty sexiness to the prancing.  It is also worth bearing in mind that the fashionable art of the day was Abstract Expressionism, a million miles away from dancing pink cherubs.

The main image from In the Bottom of my Garden is dedicated to a Mrs Demster and is in Julia Warhol’s handwriting; Warhol was very close to his mother and she often did the calligraphy on his 50s work, complete with spelling mistakes and bad grammar. 

Most of the pictures are hand coloured with unusually bright touches of fluorescent pink, orange, blue and green watercolour while others are just as pretty and exuberant in black and white.  Created between 1956-58 these early witty images incorporate Warhol’s trademark irregular blotted lines, a technique which he learnt at college while training as a commercial artist. 

This particular set of In the Bottom of my Garden is especially desirable because if other sets turn up on the market the colours can be murky, or there is no signature or no authentication stamp or, as is usually the case, the set has been broken up and the pictures sold individually. 

Whether a seasoned collector of Andy Warhol or simply a buyer of iconic modern art, these highly decorative and sophisticated pictures will embellish any room or enhance any collection. In the Bottom of my Garden comprises 20 pictures (approximately 8.5x11ins or 220x280mm), 13 of which are hand coloured; it has the all-important rubber stamp from the Andy Warhol Authentication Board number A118.100band each image has a handmade silver leaf frame.

The Pieces of a Woman exhibition, internationally renowned artist, playwright and actress Lorien Haynes.  The exhibition launched on International Women’s Day 8 March at the Koppel Project’s New Bond Street gallery with a two-day private view.

Tim Muddiman, a bassist for 17 years in Gary Numan’s band, explores a brutalist architectural world in a new interiors collection for FEATHR.

Nordic interiors brand FEATHR has collaborated with musician turned artist Tim Muddiman to create a new designer wallpaper collection.  The collection comprises wallpapers and customisable wall murals adapted from ten original artworks by Muddiman.  Each piece displays Muddiman’s trademark remixing of modernist and brutalist architectural styles with arresting colour blocks and surrealist details.  Dimensionality and depth work together to create a striking collection of wallcoverings suited to crisp, modern interiors.

Muddiman is a contemporary British artist feted for his unique fusion of brutalist architecture, linear structure and bold colour.  Having spent 17 years as bassist in Gary Numans innovative electronic band and as a solo artist in his own right, Muddiman has left the music stage in an exciting move to prioritise creating art.  Recognising the emotional and physical impact of a relentless touring schedule, Muddiman’s choice to leave life on the road and focus on his emerging art career has resulted in a breathtaking new viewpoint on urban modernist style.

Artist Tim Muddiman (Image credit: Phil Sharp)

The new Tim Muddiman x FEATHR collection comprises of four modernist wallpaper designs, along with seven bold centrepiece murals. In creating the collection, Muddiman has drawn on his teenage love of street art and combined it with experiences gained as a musician. Dominated by recurring themes of muscular geometric block colour, dimensionality and surrealism, each of the wallcoverings conveys Muddiman’s distinct creative vision.

Angular Walk wallpaper

ANGULAR WALK draws us upwards towards its angular stalactites that taper from the apex of the design. Graphic geometric shafts descend, but in doing so they create a contrasting soft undulation. This curbs the dominating strict lines, bringing a sense of balance to the structure.  Angular Walk is available as wallpaper panels, each covering 150cm x 320cm, in seven stunning colours.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more Angular Walk wallpaper images

Another Level wallpaper

ANOTHER LEVEL extols uniformity by displaying different block forms repeating at a regular cadence through the design. Clever use of colour creates shadow that draws us deeper into the rectangular latticework.  The Another Level wallpaper is available in 6 colourways.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

Image credit: Shutterstock/BergDmitry

>> See more Another Level wallpaper images

Lombardy wall mural

LOMBARDY captures life on the edge.  A stylized modernist house dominates the mural, whilst contrasting off-whites and tonal blues create the jagged landscape around it. Perspective draws the viewer’s eye from the centre of the design, down the length of the house and into the world beyond. LOMBARDY is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/HaroldGuevara

>> See more Lombardy Blue & Grey Abstract House Wall Mural images

21US wall mural

21US creates impact through its striking linear structure that emerges in an arresting 3D effect.  Bold and hypnotic, 21US showcases Muddiman’s signature hard edge contemporary abstract style. The relationship between colour and shade serve to emphasise the interlocked forms. 21US is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more 21 US Black & Red Geometric Cube Wallpaper Mural images

JD7 wall mural

JD7 uses three contrasting forms to create movement on multiple plans. A solid background is cut through by a burgundy stripe serving to segment and dissect the mural, whilst adding a focal point.  Behind this, neutral toned structural shapes interact to create a motif that invites the user into the artwork. JD7 is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/BergDmitry

>> See more JD7  Black & Red Geometric Art Wallpaper Mural images

Kinbaku wall mural

KINBAKU is a celebration of abstract geometry, empowered by energy and movement. The two tone colour background provides a muted backdrop for the abstract architectural forms that rise from the base while the warm horizontal lines connect the structural elements together. KINKABU is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more Kinbaku Cream & Grey Funky Geometric Wallpaper Mural images

Duja wall mural

DUJA exhibits Muddiman’s signature blend of abstract shapes and fresh colour palette. The three tone horizontal backdrop gives a pop of colour with a vibrant yellow band,  providing a solid base to ground the surrealist motif. DUJA is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/BergDmitry

>> See more Duja Grey & Yellow Abstract Geometric Wall Mural images

Kingston wall mural

The KINGSTON WALL MURAL is a celebration of abstract geometry, empowered by energy and movement. The two tone colour background provides a muted backdrop for the abstract architectural forms that rise from the base while the warm horizontal lines connect the structural elements together. The KINGSTON WALL MURAL is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more Kington Blue & Red Geometric Diamond Wall Mural images

Pink Flamingo wall mural

PINK FLAMINGO celebrates both colour and form. The blue and pink structuals forms move across the mural in ever increasing size.  The application of stunning a block colour palette culminates in an imposing architectural form that draws you from the foreground into the design. PINK FLAMINGO is available as a wall mural that can be customised to any wall size.

Image credit: Shutterstock/BergDmitry

>> See more Pink Flamingo Pink & Blue Architecture Wallpaper Mural images

Five Fingers wallpaper

FIVE FINGERS brings together mid-century style with Muddiman’s vision of angular geometry. Created from his ‘Fingers’ triptych, Five Fingers features stylized house plants connected into a formal structure. Whilst recalling the classic mid-century designs, Five Fingers brings a new visual perspective with its use of simplified, modernist illustration. The FIVE FINGERS wallpaper is available in 7 stunning colours.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more Five Fingers Cream & White Mid Century Pattern Wallpaper images

Kingston wallpaper

The KINGSTON wallpaper is the partner piece to the Kingston wall mural. Inspired by the same original artwork by Muddiman, Kingston recalls the repeating patterns and bright colours of traditional North African tiling. The cyan stripe crossing the wallpaper introduces a modern element that elevates the design and lifts it off the wall. The KINGSTON wallpaper is available in its Original colourway.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Jafara

>> See more Kingston Blue & Red Geometric Diamond Wallpaper images

Muddiman commented, “my work represents far more than an abstract object. They represent emotion, feeling, protection, paranoia, celebration, and solitude. All emotions I experience daily. I believe my work is a unique version of everything I love.”

Tom Puukko, Founder at FEATHR, commented, “Muddiman’s work is an arresting viewpoint on brutalist architecture. His clever play between structure and colour evokes powerful images with depth and emotion interwoven in on every level. We’re delighted to see his unique perspective translated into such a stunning wallpaper and wall murals collection.”

Product Details

Wall Mural Collection- 150g/190g Non-Woven Wallpaper $ 59 / € 59 / £49 per sq meter

Wallpaper/Wallpaper Panel Collection – 150g/190g Non-Woven Wallpaper $169 / €149 / £129 per 10m roll

The FEATHR X Tim Muddiman wallpaper collection is available worldwide, exclusively from FEATHR.  Explore the full Tim Muddiman x FEATHR collection.

About FEATHR

Interiors brand FEATHR is on a mission to fill the world with more art and less decoration. Headquartered in the famed artists-only village of Fiskars, Finland, FEATHR roam the world collaborating with contemporary artists to create original wallpaper and fabrics. FEATHR has worked with artists including legendary tattooist Liam Sparkes, renowned American abstract artist Kiki Slaughter and sought after British mixed media artist, Claire Luxton. FEATHR has been awarded Surface of the Year at the World Interior News Awards and named as Finland’s no.1 Design Startup.

About Tim Muddiman

Tim Muddiman is an English artist, musician and creative. His work is an exploration of the human condition through contrasts; strength and fragility, depth and height, bold colour and monochrome – always seeking to cast an abstract lens on the familiar and concrete. With disciplines in structure and controlled expressionism, his style has been described as ‘hard-edged, abstract and contemporary’.

“Harnessing and preserving the innocent beauty of a subconscious vision is key to my work. While my paintings are often conceptual and relatable to the design of life, the process is my own continuation of individuation.”

Muddiman has contributed articles to a range of publications including The Independent and the Huffington Post, and served as a longtime member of Gary Numan’s band.