The Art Museum

The Velocity Magazine 2008 Home Edition

by Javacia Harria for Velocity Magazine

Walking into Bryce Hudson's home is like entering an art museum or gallery, and his living room is an eclectic exhibition of international works. But what else would you expect from one of Louisville's most popular young visual artists and the owner of the new Portland gallery, Plexus Contemporary.

Hudson's living room is filled with art from around the world -- an African batik print on one of the walls, sculptures from the Ivory Coast and Egypt around the room, Taiwanese figurines surrounding a mirror, a striking mask from Vietnam on another wall. And this is just a tiny sampling.

Hudson collected many of the pieces during his international travels, but some were snagged at antique malls, flea markets and galleries across the country.

The room also houses more contemporary works, including an abstract piece by Hudson and colorful pieces from Glassworks. To keep the room from getting too crowded, Hudson takes down pieces when he wants to add something new, much like a gallery changes its exhibits.

For folks trying to give their home an artsy and unique look, Hudson said the art and furniture in your rooms must have character.

"A lot of times you can find stuff that's 10 times cooler at a flea market and (it's) cheaper than finding it at a design shop or a mall," Hudson said. "If you just buy the chair from Pottery Barn, it's just a chair. But to have a story to it, like it's your grandfather's chair or you got it on a trip, that makes it much more interesting."

-- Javacia N. Harris