We Launch Our Boutique Artwork Collection
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first boutique artwork collection in collaboration with Rockett St George!
Branching out into product has always been on the cards for South Place Studio, but I knew I wanted to collaborate with a really great brand, that shared our aesthetic and ethos, so we are delighted to be working with Rockett St George.
It all started in July last year when I heard on The Great Indoors Podcast, hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth and Sophie Robinson, that Rockett St George, were looking to collaborate with more diverse designers and creatives. It seemed perfect! I stopped what I was doing and immediately contacted Rockett St George via Instagram to see if they were open to chat, and I was put in touch with Lucy St George, and here we are, after a year of discussion, refining and learning, the boutique collection of prints is finally available to buy.
It’s been an absolute joy to work with Lucy and Rockett St George, and we are beyond excited about the collaboration. Rockett St George was founded in 2007 by Lucy St George and Jane Rockett, Jane's skills in PR and photography and Lucy's extensive experience in retail created the perfect pairing. They wanted to break free from the regular chain store offerings and source unique, authentic and quirky pieces bursting with individuality, and now their passion project has grown beyond their wildest dreams into a fully-fledged business employing over 30 people. Adding to that, their two books, Extraordinary Interiors and Extraordinary Interiors in Colour, as well as their concession at Liberty London – these two ladies are so inspirational!
The Collection
Launching this collection has been great way to use my graphic design skills to continue to grow the studio creatively. Artwork seemed like the natural place to start, not only could I tap into my many years working in graphic design and print, but it also linked beautifully with our interiors work.
Africa On My Mind, and Africa On My Mind Bold artwork prints
There are four designs in this collection, African Sun, Xhosa Sunglasses, Africa On My Mind, and Africa On My Mind Bold, all are available to shop now at Rockett St George.
I wanted to combine my South African roots and my graphic design background, and include both into my interiors work, and this is how this boutique collection of art prints came about. I knew I wanted to include the shape of the African continent and strong silhouettes of women, but in a modern, graphic way. Graphic design is all about stripping away all the unnecessary and portraying only what you need to relay the message, in its purest, simplest form, and this shows through into our interiors and our artwork.
I still hold a strong connection to South Africa despite it’s difficult past, the endless, raw creativity, skill and talent that exists there, as well as the visually stunning landscape, the sea, and most of all, the light and the glorious African sunshine, all inspire me. The African sun is something I wanted to portray in my work. I spent a long time experimenting with different golds and print techniques to finally settle on the hand-finished gold leaf in our ‘African sun’ print.
The textural gold leaf on the African Sun print is hand-finished.
This Xhosa Sunglasses design takes inspiration from the traditional dress of the Xhosa tribe of Southern Africa. They painstakingly adorn their garments, like aprons, skirts and large collars with intricate beadwork. Their skill and craft has been the inspiration for many films, and considering that their dress is traditional, it is at the same time modern, and almost futuristic.
The Xhosa Sunglasses print is a modern digital illustration of a traditional beading technique.
This boutique collection of four prints is a clean, modern interpretation that fits into the South Place Studio aesthetic and the interiors we design.
I really hope you like them, and if you purchase one - please share with us on Instagram by tagging @southplacestudio and @rockettstgeorge.co.uk
