my design fix

Outré Gallery’s Mid-Century Soirée at the Robin Boyd House

Before it becomes a distant memory I want to put up some photos from the ‘Mid-Century Soirée’ that I attended last month. Held at the famous Walsh Street House in South Yarra,  the cocktail party was organised by Outré Gallery to coincide with US artist Shag’s ‘Inscrutable Mystery Guide’ exhibition.

The Walsh Street House was designed in 1958 by the architect Robin Boyd and is featured in two of Shag’s paintings, one of which was the centrepiece for the evening.

Shag and his painting ‘Dickie Bird’ at the Walsh Street House  Photo: John Raptis

When I found out about this event it was as if the planets had aligned. I’d get to meet one of my favourite artists and experience the Walsh Street House (something I had wanted to do for a while). On top of that it was at cocktail party with such a great theme.  Walking through the front door of the house was like stepping onto the set of a Mad Men episode.

While getting my photograph taken with Shag I learnt that this party was the first time that he himself had visited the house and that his paintings ‘Dickie Bird’ and ‘Robin’s Nest’ were both done from photographs. Shag also confirmed that his painting ‘LA Modern’ is based on the Stahl House (just mirrored) and that the photographer in the painting is the late modernist architectural photographer Julius Shulman.

Sheradyn and I with ShagThought I’d try out one of the Featherston Lounges

It was great to be able to walk through the house (drink in hand) and experience it as it was intended – as an entertaining house. Often when visiting architectural icons in a tour situation it can seem a bit clinical having to follow a ‘Bee-Line’ through the space.

The view of the children’s wing from the courtyard

The view of the parent’s wing and living area from the courtyard (with Bertoia Diamond Chairs in the foreground)

I was in my element with all the amazing detailing. From the cables supporting the roof  and balustrade-less balcony through to the built in joinery and brick floor. I also really loved the lighting both inside the house and in the courtyard – definitely something you can only experience at night time.

To commemorate this event and the ‘Inscrutable Mystery Guide’ exhibition Shag and Outré have released ‘Dickie Bird’ as a limited serigraph print. I think after such an amazing evening I’ll definitely have to get myself one.

Thankyou Outré for organising such a unique and once in a lifetime experience.

Other related posts on My Design Fix:

• Shag Exhibition – Inscrutable Mystery Guide
• Josh Agle (aka Shag)

Below are some more photos from the evening taken by John Raptis. via Desktop Mag