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| Tibor Reich workdesk |
Tibor Reich? I hear you ask, who was Tibor Reich?
I thought I would share some recent photos of my trip to Manchester's Whitworth Gallery and the fascinating exhibition of his work.
The Whitworth is looking fabulous after it's 15 million pound facelift!
Although you may not have heard of Tibor Reich, if you are a 'Baby Boomer' then his textile designs will fill you with buckets of nostalgia. Even if the nostalgia is not familiar the influence his textile designs have had on contemporary design is obvious.
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1916, Reich studied architecture and textiles in Vienna before moving to the UK in 1937. In 1946 he set up Tibor Ltd, and introduced Colour into the drab interiors of post war Britain.
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| Printed fabric |
The bright and modern designs must have been a breath of fresh air to those used to dark and sombre furnishings and fabric.
Many moons ago I started my time at Art college with the intention to go into textile design, although I meandered down a different path I still have a love of pattern and I found it fascinating how Reich used photographs to create abstract fabric designs. This was based on a sweetcorn cob.
This fabric is based on a photograph of cracked mud. Before the world of digital manipulation the photographs he took were cut up and rearranged into pleasing patterns and then hand drawn as fabric designs.
His fabric designs were stylish and aspirational even gracing the seats of Concorde in the 1960s. Being an Architect he designed whole houses and interiors.
He also created tiles and ceramics
Little ashtrays free given to clients in the late 1960's
He drew such wonderful quirky faces.
This is an original design drawing for a ceramic piece.
I loved this patchwork of his fabrics!
That looks to have been a fabulous exhibition, and a real trip down memory lane for me too Morag.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a wonderful exhibit, and an amazing man I had never heard of. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful trip to the museum. I loved seeing all the beautiful designs and especially where you showed how he had dreamed them up (like the corn on the cob) Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteOh I loved this post...I see the patch work that you love has a similar feel to your work! I too have always loved pattern...and started out creating patterns digitally. The colour aspect of art is always my favorite...but I do love the quirky little ashtray which would be a candy or jewelry dish in my world! Thanks for sharing I love what's on your desk too! Good to see you again...I always miss you!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
OOhh thank you for taking us on this art filled adventure. Your art table looks exciting with what you are creating. Happy to see back.
ReplyDeleteWow, what amazing pieces, you must have had a wonderful day enjoying all of this, thanks so much for sharing with us!
ReplyDeletehavent been to the Whitworth for ages..think I will return as this looks like a fab exhibition..thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThis artist created fascinating patterns. It was phantastic to go through your photographs and see his amazing work. It must have been a wonderful experience to attend the exhibition. Many thanks for sharing and Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHello Morag, gosh that was fun. I thought at first the first photo showed your (tidy) workdesk but now I realise it was in the exhibition. How interesting that he cut and pasted before photo-editing, and now photo-editing makes it so easy.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked the three last photos of the fabric designs, absolutely beautiful in colour and pattern.
Thanks for the tour, and organising and showing these photos, I really enjoyed it.
Yes Sheila...it is not my workdesk but a replica of his taken from photos. My desk is much messier :)
DeleteIt must have been such an inspiring exhibition! I love his patchwork colours, how they merge from one shade to another and the little hand drawn designs lovely! I hadn't heard of him but I love to discover new artists! Jess xx
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your photos of Tibor Reich's work. What a great idea to cut up and rearrange photographs to use for fabric design.
ReplyDeletegreat post and a wonderful introduction to an artist I hadn't heard of before, really wish I could have gone to this with you. Loved the patchwork photo, I keep going back to it for another look!
ReplyDeleteThere is so often synchronicity to life. I have not heard of Reich but have been cutting up my pieces and collaging them together in different ways. In fact, I pulled out sweaters I knitted using this technique in yarn. I remember all of the hours spent in each piece. Here I am again doing the same with painting. How fun is that? Thank you for sharing this artist.
ReplyDelete~~ Irene
There is so often synchronicity to life. I have not heard of Reich but have been cutting up my pieces and collaging them together in different ways. In fact, I pulled out sweaters I knitted using this technique in yarn. I remember all of the hours spent in each piece. Here I am again doing the same with painting. How fun is that? Thank you for sharing this artist.
ReplyDelete~~ Irene
I had never heard of Tibor Reich so thank you for this really interesting post. I love all those patterns and colours and the fact that he took so much inspiration from the natural environment to create the patterns for his fabrics. I absolutely love that interior with the big chiminea style fireplace!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational designer. Sounds like you had a fab day at the exhibition. I especially like his floral designs.
ReplyDeleteI love pattern and color textiles also, little works of art, thanks for the post, love collages too!!!
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