Wallpaper c. 1939

This wallpaper was designed by Paul Farkas, sometime between 1855 and 1995. It's made with gouache and graphite on paper, and its design would have been reproduced via industrial printing. This artwork is tied to larger issues of labor, politics and consumption. The making of wallpaper is an interesting collision of art and industry. The design is hand-rendered in great detail; note the skillful gradation of the roses and leaves. But the intention is always for mass production. Farkas was likely working for a company that churned out patterns. We can easily imagine the design repeated across an entire room, with the help of industrial processes. This makes you consider the vast quantity of labor embedded, not just in the design, but in its reproduction and distribution. The intense work of the designer enables the labor of factory workers, distributors, and installers. Considering the materials, making, and context is essential to fully grasp the artwork's meaning, which challenges conventional distinctions between fine art and craft.