Last Year’s Largest Project: Aveo Newstead
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a completed project in the flesh. Recently, we worked with interior designers to supply artworks for the brand new Aveo Newstead, a luxury Brisbane retirement village completed in early 2018. It was a huge project that required more than 350 artworks, from prints to commissioned pieces.
Bluethumb’s VP of Sales Sheeraz worked on the project, and was lucky enough to visit the site just last month with our in-house Interior Designer Alex. With cameras in hand, Sheeraz and Alex were given a guided tour by the designers handling the artwork on the project, Amy from designbybrutus & Charmain from Derlin Design. Below, see photos from the finished project and hear about the designers’ experience sourcing art from Bluethumb.
Describe your thought process behind selecting the artworks for the project – was there a clear plan of attack?
Charmain: We required artworks that were age appropriate, happy, uplifting and dementia-friendly for specific areas.
Amy: The art procurement process begins with establishing a strong brief with the client to ensure we have a clear understanding of their project outcome requirements and to meet budget parameters. More importantly we understand the importance of selecting works that engage the viewer on different levels. We prefer to select pieces that have interesting subject matter, colour and texture, evoke interest or emotion, and ideally bring joy to the viewer. Prior to the selection process we establish locations for the works, quantity and size. Our role is to then ensure these pieces work together as a whole.
Why did you choose Bluethumb for this project?
Amy: Access to a diverse range of artists and styles was a key reason why we chose Bluethumb as one of the key suppliers in this project, along with the ability to choose pieces that met the varying budget requirements.
How did you find the process working with Bluethumb?
Charmain: It was fantastic, Sheeraz went above and beyond to assist, communication was great and we overcame a few issues along the way to create a positive outcome.
Was the outcome as you had expected?
Charmain: It was better than expected because of the issues that were resolved. It’s unrealistic to think that things won’t or can’t go wrong but when you have a company that makes a brilliant effort to resolve issues that is what makes the difference and they stand out positively for that.
Tell us about any obstacles you had to overcome?
Amy: The biggest challenges in the art procurement process was unexpected deadlines that were brought forward and out of our control. This put additional pressure on ourselves, suppliers, artists and framers. Luckily it all came together and we met the deadlines.
Do you have a favourite Bluethumb artwork or artist used in the project?
Amy: I have a few favourites in the selections we made. James Robertson is absolutely amazing in his detail and thought provoking subject matter. I love Sally Browne’s pieces celebrating the quirky bin chickens in an almost elegant and decorative manner, and lastly Meredith Howse’s landscapes are captivating and contemporary.
It’s safe to say the designers did an amazing job selecting artworks that tied in beautifully with the projects’ interiors. We couldn’t be happier to see Bluethumb’s Australian artists featured throughout the project.
Contact us for any project enquiries.
