Linoleum (Furnishing Fabric) by Tony Oursler

Linoleum (Furnishing Fabric)

Tony Oursler · 1980

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“Stop to appreciate this striking furnishing fabric, where abstract forms playfully challenge our perception of everyday patterns. It's a fascinating example of how art can transform functional objects into thought-provoking designs.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This large furnishing fabric, titled "Linoleum," presents a repeating pattern of abstract forms that challenge traditional notions of decorative design. The screen-printed cotton features a dynamic interplay of organic and geometric shapes, rendered in a palette that suggests both natural elements and manufactured surfaces. Look closely at the way the forms seem to undulate and overlap, creating a sense of depth despite the flat medium. The artist, Tony Oursler, made this work in 1980, a time when he was exploring diverse mediums and pushing boundaries beyond conventional painting or sculpture. This piece speaks to a broader artistic movement of the era that questioned the hierarchy between fine art and utilitarian design, inviting us to consider how art integrates into our daily lives and surroundings.

DETAILS
Artist
Tony Oursler
Date
1980
Medium
Cotton, warp-float faced satin weave; screen printed
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
292.4 × 144.3 cm (115 1/8 × 56 3/4 in.); Repeat: 44.8 × 44.8 cm (17 5/8 × 17 5/8 in.)
ART MOVEMENTS
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What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Linoleum (Furnishing Fabric)
01

The subtle variations in tone within each printed shape.

02

How the pattern seems to shift and ripple across the fabric.

03

The deliberate, almost hand-drawn quality of the lines.

04

The way the abstract forms suggest faces or figures if you look long enough.

THE ARTIST

Tony Oursler

1957 · United States

Tony Oursler is a multimedia artist who transforms video projection into expressive faces on dolls, objects, and even buildings, creating captivating, often unsettling, narratives.

Read Oursler’s full story
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

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