By Ute Junker
A John Olsen mural dominates the lobby of The Olsen.
Ever switched on your in-room TV and watched a piece of video art? Or eaten breakfast next to a world-famous painter whose work hangs in your hotel room? If not, it's time you checked out – and checked in to – the next generation of art-loving accommodation.
"Everyone wants a piece of the contemporary art scene nowadays," says art advisor Amanda Love, explaining why hoteliers and their guests are embracing contemporary art. Rather than just buying up artworks, however, a new breed of hotelier is building relationships with the artists themselves.
That may include commissioning original work, as Love has done for Australia's QT hotels, sourcing original pieces from Australian artists such as Daniel Crooks and Grant Stevens.
Artist Michael Johnson.Credit: Ken Butti
"For QT Sydney, we decided to focus on moving image works to distinguish the art content from the hotel's design-rich environment," says Love. Digital art is found not only in the hotel's public spaces, but also on the televisions in the individual guest rooms.
"For a hotel like QT, these museum-quality art works are like jewellery," Love says. "They add one more layer [to the] sophisticated, privileged experience that they offer their guests."
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai is also taking art off the wall. The hotel invites artists of all kinds – including musicians, dancers, filmmakers, photographers – to apply for a residency of three to six months. In return, each artist is asked to leave a "trace" of their stay, which is then displayed online in the hotel's virtual museum.
These museum-quality art works are like jewellery.
Even more traditional hotels are getting in on the act. London's Savoy Hotel has been building a contemporary art collection since 2011. As might be expected from such a historic property, The Savoy favours figurative art, and commissions pieces that have a direct connection with the hotel.
"All of the artists have been immersed in the hotel for a period of time, so that the culture and heritage of the hotel is linked to each piece," says art consultant Sally Vaughan of Go Figurative, who works with The Savoy.
Recently acquired works include a panoramic David Downes painting of the River Thames as seen from the hotel roof, and a triptych by Dawn Coulter Cruttenden titled The Legend of Melba. The triptych commemorates the invention of the peach melba dessert by Savoy chef Auguste Escoffier.
The Olsen showcases the work of one of Australia's greatest artists.
"The hotel has been a source of inspiration for each of these pieces; they could really only work in the hotel," Vaughan says.
No hotel group is more fully committed to contemporary art than Australia's Art Series hotel group. Each of its seven properties is dedicated to, and named after, a specific artist. Melbourne is home to The Olsen, The Blackman, The Cullen and The Larwill, while Adelaide's The Watson showcases the work of indigenous artist Tommy Watson. The hotels are designed to give guests an immersive experience, according to the group's CEO, Will Deague.
"There are original artworks in the foyer, museum-quality digital prints in the room, a dedicated channel, and books about the artists. All our staff are trained to talk about the artists, and we have an in-house curator who gives tours," Deague says.
The Lobby of The Johnson.
"John Olsen says [the hotel] is the best retrospective he could have," says Ken McGregor, the art consultant who works with Art Series Hotels. All the artists can stay free of charge at "their" hotels, and McGregor says guests love interacting with Olsen when he is in residence. McGregor has the difficult task of choosing which artists will be honoured with a hotel of their own. For the group's latest hotel, opening in Brisbane this month, McGregor chose artist Michael Johnson, known for his vibrant abstract works.
"Johnson is not a Queenslander but he lived in Queensland, a period which was a massive turning point in his career," McGregor explains. "To me, his work is pure Queensland. It's the shimmering patterns of colourful fish in the water, the patterns on butterfly wings."
McGregor says the process of selecting the appropriate artist for each hotel can take around a year. He starts by examining the building itself. "The art has to look good where it's going to hang," he says. "Looking at the building helps me narrow down the choice and select a few artists that may suit. The modernist lines of this building are one of the things that made me think of Johnson."
Charles Blackman's work features in every room of The Blackman.
The artist also has to suit the location. "When we opened the hotel in Prahran, I wanted something quirky to suit the area, which is one of the reasons that Adam Cullen was a good choice."
Many other factors come into consideration, McGregor says; not least, the way the name will sound. It was that consideration which ruled Queensland artist Ray Crooke out of consideration for the Brisbane property. "He is an incredible artist," McGregor says, "But we can't call a hotel The Crooke!"
SNAPSHOT
An image from Dawn Coulter Cruttenden's triptych, The Legend of Melba.
QT SYDNEY
Spread across two heritage buildings in the heart of the Sydney CBD, QT Sydney is known for its lively public spaces, including its acclaimed restaurant, bar and café. Rates from $290. qthotelsandresorts.com/sydney-cbd
THE SAVOY
An image from Dawn Coulter Cruttenden's triptych, The Legend of Melba.
A London landmark, The Savoy delivers everything you want from a heritage hotel, including grand interiors, elegant bars and a central location. Rates from GBP462. fairmont.com/savoy-london
THE JOHNSON
The latest hotel from the Art Series group is located in Brisbane's Spring Hill, and has a 50 metre pool as well as a gym. Rates from $180. artserieshotels.com.au/johnson
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.