PORTLAND, ORE.—Avery Thatcher, Portland, Oregon artist behind the outre chic wallcovering studio Juju Papers, launch her latest collection last month. The new group, called FLUX, is intended for both residential and commercial spaces, and takes its cue from women’s fluctuating and generative roles over personal lifetimes and throughout history. Four complementary patterns—some literal, others abstract—in a total of 14 colorways, are rendered with arcs, curves and circles, to connote ebb and flow.
Explains Thatcher, “The concept of womanhood has been an ongoing inspiration and study. Through the lens of mother, artist, and studio principal, and my experience versus those of my mother and grandmothers, FLUX looks at the shifting experiences and expectations of feminism. All of the designs in FLUX have a current of flow and undulation, paired with a sturdy, structural balance.”
Thatcher’s idiosyncratic illustrative style is made glamorous through the use of opulent, shimmering metallic inks. The four patterns:
La Strada: A large-scale, textural collage of rounded and serpentine forms, made with sponge painting and screen-printing squeegees. Sponge paint, the kitschy ‘90s DIY treatment, is here flipped to become an ornate, polished finish. Four colorways: gold on cream, gold on charcoal, gunmetal on cream, diamonds and pearls on cream. The artist notes that “the (living sea creature) sponge is constantly moving, flowing, while constantly growing. It’s a textural gem.”
Women: Large-scale line drawings of female profiles, depicted with dignity and quiet determination. Four colorways: gold on cream, gold on charcoal, gunmetal on cream, gunmetal on blush.
Silhouettes: The large-scale collage of sponge paintings and marks made from gel is arranged in a loose scatter that can simultaneously read mid-century and punk. Three colorways: gold on charcoal, celeste [blue] on cream, champagne on cream.
Waving: A billowing stripe depicting rippling curtains or fabric; it also hints at the rising and falling surf. Three colorways: gold on cream, gold on charcoal, celeste [blue] on cream.
Residential & Commercial Applications
Juju Papers adorn stylish homes nationwide. The residential wallpapers are eco-friendly and hand-screen printed in small batches. Juju services an ever-growing clientele of high-end hospitality, workplace, and healthcare designers. The commercial version of FLUX is offered in a variety of low-VOC Type II high-trac options, including Mylar, Terralon Smooth and smooth vinyl.
The studio offers bespoke services, and all papers may be specified in custom colors and coordinating fabric.
