Ian o phelan biography of alberta

Illustration: Ian O'Phelan. Night Flowers, 2009.

The pattern work of the American artist, designer and illustrator Ian O'Phelan is an excellent example of the continuing relevance and contemporary usage of the repeat pattern.

It is often thought that the great days of pattern work, whether that be textile or wallpaper, are well behind us and that the contemporary world has nothing of relevance to add to the accumulated wealth of the past. However, as the work featured in this article shows there are still a number of excellent young designers who are aware of both the historical context of pattern work and the relevance it has, or can have, to our contemporary world.

Illustration: Ian O'Phelan.

Ian o phelan biography of alberta

Fruit Vine II, 2009.

Repeat pattern work is not the easiest of technical processes to master. To make a pattern appear both seamless and above all effortless is another process and level of achievement altogether.

Although admittedly a basic repeat pattern is relatively easy t