What Is Multi Panel Wall Art?
Just like the name describes, multi panel wall art is a series of pieces which work together as art on multiple panels. Yet what is the best way to use them? I have seen those who have used this style with great impact. Then others who have not.
First you need to know what style of art works best with multi panels. Not all art is made for this use. Yet with great care, and a good artist, almost any art style can be applied to varied degrees of success.
If one wishes to explore the full potential of asymmetrical art this is a great opportunity for it. Multi panel art works exceptionally well with the concept.
What Style Of Art Is Best For Multi Panel
There are three styles of art that work best in multi panel art. The first is non representational art. The second is art through photography. Each of these have their benefits but also issues when hung on walls.
Representational art of many kinds can work well as in this image. Yet with this one may have to search for what one desires. There are companies which will create these panels for you from art images to achieve what you are seeking.
The one benefit to photography is it can create really interesting dimensional patterns when on different size panels. The image is laid on the different canvases in such a way that the appearance creates a unique visual impact. An ordinary image suddenly can become what catches the eye.
The downside to photography is that the panels must be hung closely together. Due to the popularity of photography people have become accustomed to seeing this. Yet there have been many other formats for multi panel art in history.
Non representational art has its benefit in that it can transition the flow of a room through its use of color. As the artwork is not an image it does not have to be hung as closely together. Also the arrangement can be altered in a different order, or from vertical to horizontal.
Alternatively if one enjoys wood art you should explore the idea of Intarsia wood for your walls. The benefit here is that it works great in complimenting multi panel works. Additionally these can be had inexpensively as decor pieces if one chooses.
Why The Space Between Panels Matter
When abstract and non representational art started to become popular in the mid 20th century there were artists who began experimenting with arrangement. As there is really no right or wrong way to arrange this style of art it focused on visual impact.
Among the methods used was accenting the wall color on which the art hung. In this way the wall became a part of the art rather than just the canvas. The key to this style of work was flexibility.
The spacing between panels served a purpose in aiding this visual impact. Within your home this can matter due to how much wall space may be present. At other times the problem can be there is too little space.
For larger walls allowing for more space between the panels allows the art to project its presence more effectively to the entire room. In this way it is not isolated to one part or section of a wall. If an accent color is added then this too in turn adds to the visual impact.
With photographs this becomes more challenging. As more space is placed between the panels the overall image becomes diluted. If spaced too far apart the image is then fragmented and out of place.
There are artists who have created multi panel wall art from one image in such a way to prevent this. With creativity the art is allowed to flow from one panel to the next while still conveying the images within the art. With photographs this is very difficult to achieve.
What Should Determine Which Style Of Art To Use?
The initial determining factor is obviously what you like the most. With this what is important to you and impacts your life in art is most critical. Yet if alternate art styles are an option some considerations can be made.
Big Wall Spaces
How much wall space you need to cover can matter. This is the second greatest factor. A vaulted ceiling can be nice but also create an odd geometry on a wall. The larger the space is increases the degree of the problems, but you have multiple solutions.
If a photograph is your thing and it is a must have, consider a very large multi panel work. You may need to have this customized by a shop. Yet be careful that the scale is not overdone with the other dimensions in the room.
An alternative is non representational art. Still utilizing larger panels you are allowed to more evenly space the art across the wall. The added benefit is that you can adjust to the odd geometry that vaulted ceilings can create.
Here you are not limited or forced into trying to make a wall work. Instead of fighting the geometry you can flow with it. This has major benefits in bringing overall visual aesthetics to the rest of the room.
Shorter Wall Spaces
On shorter walls up to about 10ft in height photographs on multiple panels thrive very well. While this will be a personal taste I prefer to space the abstract or non representational works more. Giving them space on short walls can create issues.
With shorter walls it is more likely that you will run into furniture of some kind. Whether it is a bookcase or where the tv will mount to a wall you begin to find problems. Windows themselves can create odd geometry on short walls.
This is why photographs on multi panels thrive so well. If you love the non representational there is nothing wrong with tight spacing the art together. This as I said is personal taste. I enjoy the flow of the colors it gives across a broader space when compared to photographs.
What Does A Room Need?
What a room needs can be a determining factor. There are times when a picture just doesn’t work. Factors such as furnishings, lighting, flooring, and dimensions of a room require something other than what we may prefer.
Dimensional problems are the worst in that we can do little to change them. The other issues are really about money and the will to spend and change them. Lighting can be improved. New furnishing can be purchased. It is a matter of if we have that to spend at that moment.
It would be my opinion, if it is at all possible, to make any changes you need so you can be happy with the room as a whole. If this can not be done then consider this next bit of advice as a rule of thumb.
If the room needs more color to bring it to life consider non representational. An image on a multi panel can do this if it is a vibrant image. Yet often in these spaces to change the feel of the room some spacing between the art and altering its geometry or order in hanging is needed.
Multi Panels Art From A Historical Perspective
The idea of mutli panel art is nothing new. They have been used throughout history yet often in different ways. In some cultures a separate panel would be used with art symbols to display the four seasons, four cardinal directions, or other related concepts.
The idea of what a multi panel is does not have to be the same image or art broken across many different panels. Rather it can be a series of works within the same theme. This broadens the horizons for application especially within those odd spaces.
As a plug in here while on a different but still similar track of thinking, objects of similar theme can be used in the same way. Instead of mounting a panel, a three dimensional piece is used.
A three dimensional piece is more related to objects like small sculptures, or memorabilia. It can give a nice break to the pattern of decor in some rooms.
Three Or More Panel Patterns
In your home decoration it may be necessary to play with the pattern in hanging. I have done an article on a three picture wall frame. Essentially this is using a similar principle as I have described there.
At its core the principle speaks to how the eyes catch patterns. Odd numbers in panels work better than even when hung in a series. The eyes will always want to be drawn to the center of anything. With 3, 5, 7, or 9 there is always a center panel.
With 2, 4, 6, or 8, where is the center panel? The eyes cannot focus on a center for visual impact. The center is between two pieces. This is not optimal. Nevertheless a tight arrangement with little spacing will help this work even with a break running through the middle.
The goal behind this principle is found in maximizing the visual aesthetics allowing the eyes to draw information from where they naturally seeks to find it. The center point of the work is where the eyes will seek to build this first.
Multi Panels In Halls And Stairwells
The general rule of thumb is to not hang multi panel works in halls or stairwells. There are exceptions to this rule. If a stairwell is open from one side creating a large wall space to an open room then it is nice to hang here.
The one oddity of an open stair case to one side is the geometry it can create in the wall. Art for this will have to be selected accordingly and carefully to aid the overall room.
With traditional hallways the space is simply too closed off to gain anything from hanging multi panel work. That is unless it too is open to one side. This is common on a balcony setting that otherwise would be a hall.
The balcony can present an opportunity for the art to play a role in the room below as well as its own space. It is actually a nice place to accent and display rather than a problem. It also should not be interfered by odd geometry or windows.
The only aspect which can cause these walls to be broken up is the doorways which lead into rooms from the balcony. Yet this is easily overcome unless the door falls into an odd place along the wall.
Multi Level Ceilings And Panel Art
This may come as a surprise to many yet I have seen it work with amazing impact. Ceilings which are dimensional to rectangles or squares on multi level can use art. The recessed portion of the ceiling is where the multi panel art will reside.
Know that this is not for every home or space. Higher ceilings are required. Additionally adjusting for lighting is necessary. Yet when done well it is amazing.
Here the art can be used to tell a story. I have seen this done with each recess sharing the personality of the members of a family. It can also be used to share ones beliefs and history like a time line.
While this is out of the ordinary from what is commonly seen, the multi level recess provides a perfect opportunity for art to be used.
A Major Advantage To Non Representational Art
I have mentioned this in another article on this art specifically. Yet it is worth its merit here as well. If one is within the home that is artistic in nature this art on a multi panel platform will serve them exponentially.
The artist within the family can use this art to express themselves and the home becomes a personal gallery. I appreciate this style for what it offers especially from a therapeutic perspective. When a multi panel environment is desired it really gives that artist the ability to reach into deep reservoirs as necessary.
A Trend Or A Style
Without a doubt this is a style of presenting art rather than a trend. Multi panels have been around for a very long time. They will not be going away anytime soon. If you are concerned about this being too trendy I would not worry.
How this style has been used has changed much over time. Yet it remains for it is so versatile in how it can be applied. What I have offered here are the more common ways found today in its use. Yet in no way is this limited to what I have suggested.
There are many ways to explore carrying a theme or a specific work across the walls of ones home in a series. The multi panel idea is just one of many.