Accidental art: Martyn Thompson turns his used rags into painterly textiles

Patterned fabrics and textiles
The New York-based artist Martyn Thompson has transformed his discarded drop-cloths and rags into beautiful woven tapestries and fabrics that can be applied to everything from wall hangings to lamp shades
(Image credit: Martyn Thompson)

They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. For Martyn Thompson that phrase rings true.

The New York-based artist and force behind Martyn Thompson Studio has found another use for his discarded drop-cloths and rags, transforming them into beautiful woven tapestries and fabrics that can be applied to everything from wall hangings to lamp shades.

Aptly named ‘The Accidental Expressionist’, the collection of jacquard-woven fabrics and murals made its debut at The Future Perfect in New York last week.

Often overlooked details and the force of the artist’s hand were the focus of the collection, as Pollack-esque splatters encouraged viewers to closely examine each textile to see the layering of colours and stains that went into it. For each piece, the incidental marks left by the artist from past projects have been collected and photographed, elevated and given new meaning as they were transformed from by-product to end product.

Visitors to The Future Perfect’s showroom can see the collection applied as upholstery to furniture, made into pillows and – in the case of the 'Quarry' lamp – a lamp shade.

Resembling somewhat haphazard stacks of ceramic shards, the 'Quarry’ lamp is a collaboration between Thompson and the artist Dove Drury Hornbuckle. Made by hand, Hornbuckle crafts the composition of each lamp, with the crowning feature of each being a bespoke shade from Martyn Thompson Studio. The lamp is also available in a cast bronze edition, finished in a variety of patinas.

‘The Accidental Expressionist’, the collection of jacquard-woven fabrics and murals made its debut at The Future Perfect in New York

Aptly named ‘The Accidental Expressionist’, the collection of jacquard-woven fabrics and murals made its debut at The Future Perfect in New York

(Image credit: Martyn Thompson)

For each piece, the incidental marks left by the artist from past projects have been collected

For each piece, the incidental marks left by the artist from past projects have been collected and photographed, elevated and given new meaning as they were transformed from by-product to end product

(Image credit: Martyn Thompson)

Viewers are encouraged to closely examine each textile to see the layering of colours and stains that went into each piece

Viewers are encouraged to closely examine each textile to see the layering of colours and stains that went into each piece

(Image credit: Martyn Thompson)

INFORMATION

The ’Accidental Expressionist’, available from $380 per yard. For more information, visit The Future Perfect’s website

ADDRESS

The Future Perfect
55 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012

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