Custom wallpaper installations in museum and gallery spaces require more than flawless printing—they demand a deep understanding of artistic intent, museum-grade material standards, and precise project coordination to create immersive environments that enhance the exhibition’s narrative.
We recently partnered with The Drawing Center, a prominent SoHo gallery dedicated to contemporary drawing practices, on a wallpaper installation for the Anxious Men exhibition by acclaimed artist Rashid Johnson. This project exemplifies how fine art and cutting-edge print technology merge to produce visually compelling and conceptually resonant environments.
From Personal Photograph to Immersive Gallery Experience
The core visual element was a singular, evocative photograph provided by the artist himself. Depicting Johnson’s father in the year of the artist’s birth, seated cross-legged in meditative repose, the image carries profound personal and cultural significance.
Rather than displaying the photograph as a standalone piece, the gallery chose to amplify its presence by repeating it in a meticulously arranged grid pattern across the exhibition walls. This repetition transformed the image into a hypnotic visual rhythm, providing a subtle yet powerful backdrop that harmonized with the exhibition’s themes of identity, memory, and emotional complexity.
Meeting Museum-Grade Standards: Materials & Printing
Recognizing the demands of gallery environments, our production prioritized materials and inks that ensure archival quality and longevity. We printed on a premium, museum-grade fabric-backed wallpaper substrate, selected for its durability and tactile appeal. Coupled with UV-cured, pigment-based inks, this ensured exceptional color fidelity, fade resistance, and the preservation of subtle tonal variations critical to the artwork’s integrity.
The installation was executed with rigorous attention to detail, aligning each panel perfectly to maintain the integrity of the repeating pattern and preserve the immersive effect intended by the artist and curators.
Streamlined Project Management & Collaborative Workflow
Working with The Drawing Center and Rashid Johnson’s creative team required close, iterative collaboration. From initial file preparation and proofing to installation logistics, our team maintained open communication channels, enabling swift problem-solving and ensuring the wallpaper faithfully translated the artist’s vision.
We coordinated with gallery operations to schedule deliveries and installation outside of public hours, minimizing disruption and ensuring a smooth, timely execution.
Timeline Considerations
Like many fine arts projects, this installation operated on a tight schedule with fixed exhibition opening dates. Our ability to respond promptly to the client’s timeline, including quick turnaround proofs and expedited printing, was crucial to meeting these demands without compromising quality.
An Ongoing Creative Partnership
The Anxious Men installation was the first of several collaborations with Rashid Johnson. Over the following decade, the artist continued to rely on our expertise to produce custom wallpaper as a legitimate art medium, using his own digital works and photographs as the foundation for his creative vision.
This ongoing relationship highlights the value of a trusted print partner who understands both the creative and practical demands of high-profile art installations.
Lessons Learned
This project reaffirmed that success in museum wallpaper installations depends on harmonizing artistic intent with technical precision. Early engagement with the artist and curators allowed us to anticipate challenges around color subtleties and pattern alignment.
We also learned the importance of flexible workflows to accommodate evolving creative input and installation requirements, especially with conceptually rich projects where the artwork itself may continue to develop through the production process.
Finally, clear communication and accessibility throughout the project lifecycle builds trust and confidence—a vital ingredient when delivering under tight deadlines in prestigious settings.
This collaboration showcases how expertly crafted custom wallpaper transcends mere decoration, emerging as a dynamic medium for storytelling and spatial engagement, meeting the exacting standards of the contemporary art world while delivering unforgettable visitor experiences.
About the Author
Joseph Gornail is a multimedia artist and fourth-generation print craftsman whose family has lived on the same block in SoHo for over 90 years. With an extensive background in photography, writing and creative direction, Joseph has a love of the arts and a proud New Yorker. When he’s not documenting city life or curating historic images for History101.nyc, he can likely be found sailing the New York harbor to enjoy his native city from a different perspective.