Photos by Kris Tamburello. All images © Chandler House, shared with permission
A fashion boutique in Miami features a one-of-a-kind facade thanks to Michael Chandler, artist and founder of Cape Town-based Chandler House. He created a bespoke, hand-painted, nature-inspired tile installation with “May all the doors of the world always be open to you” appearing on a ribbon floating above the entryway. A large tree unfurls throughout the composition, bedecked with myriad birds, flowers, and a silhouetted climber.
The project began with a simple email inquiry from the Cult Gaia brand. “We almost didn’t take it seriously because it was so wild,” Chandler tells Colossal. “But we had a Zoom chat or two, exchanged emails, and before I knew it, I was laying out tiles and covering them with brilliant, blue brush marks!” He worked on the project in sections, carefully numbering and mapping each piece so the composition could be easily installed on the exterior of the building.
The creative direction was laid entirely in Chandler’s hands, and he conceived of a “tree of life” motif, with the freedom to create “all its branches of flowers, fruit, birds, and muses in my own way,” he says, sharing that when a creative is given license to do what they do best, it can lead to remarkable results. The style nods to Delft Blue, a type of Dutch earthenware popularized in the 17th century, which is inspired by Chinese porcelain design and often distinctively blue.
Chandler is currently working on a series of small panels for a vineyard near Cape Town, which continues the tree of life theme, except with coral. The permanence of ceramic tile appeals to the artist for its longevity. “The thought of people enjoying my work over the course of the next hundred years really excites me,” he says. “How wonderful to be able to bring joy to the world after I am no longer around.”
Explore the Chandler House website, which features a shop and art gallery of others’ work, plus more of Michael’s commissions.
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