The first photograph of Earth as a whole was taken on December 7, 1972 by scientist-astronaut Harrison H. Schmitt, a member of the Apollo 17 crew on their way to complete NASA’s final mission to land on the moon. How astonishing it must have been to see our robust planet for the first time as just a fragile orb in a unimaginably massive universe. Perhaps there is link to this first photograph and the rise of the environmental movement, then mostly known as anti-pollution, in the 1970s.
A good friend of mind found inspiration for his art practice several years ago from the pages of a very old family atlas. The sinuous contours of geography in a perfect palette of pastels were the catalyst for a whole series of paintings. I’m privileged to be the owner of one of these artworks.
My first OLIO homewares collection of four cushions called ‘Elements’ will be launched soon. One of my cushion designs in the ‘Elements Collection’ is called EARTH.
It’s fascinating to see how close our two colour palettes are. Earth itself is far from pastel. Yet cartographers, artists and now me as a homewares designer, have all picked up on this palette.
Not at all like the swirling blues of the first photograph. Altogether more interesting, more beautiful and more optimistic. There are days when world events can make us weep to think of the damage we keep doing to our fragile orb. Other days when the minute moments of terrestrial life fill us with awe and wonder.
I hope my Earth design is able to capture just a little of all of this complexity!!