David Bowie | Laura Ashley

David Bowie’s legacy is a work of art in itself; his ever changing music and appearance became iconic within his body of work much like stanzas within a visual artist’s oeuvre; Picasso’s Cubist period, Lichtenstein’s comic strip inspired compositions. Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself was as unforgettable as his music and he never failed to shock and then delight.   

A collaboration between David Bowie and designer Laura Ashley has that initially unexpected but then beguiling impact. 10-15 full rolls of wallpaper were printed on the occasion of Bowie’s exhibition ‘New Afro Pagan Work: 1975-1995’ at a London gallery. One design features Lucian Freud’s nude self portrait submerged in a Damien Hirst like tank, the second illustrates a Minotaur, one of Picasso’s most beloved subjects. Both set these repeated images against a backdrop of traditional English chintz. Each exemplifies noteworthy imagery in 20th century art offset by a floral pattern ubiquitous of the Laura Ashley aesthetic. 

The collision of art, life, fashion & music has yielded remarkable mash ups of culture such as Andy Warhol’s Velvet Underground record cover or Takeshi Murakami’s Louis Vuitton bags. When the avant- garde meets the utilitarian, memorable creations result and the present lots fulfill that unpredictability delicious recipe.