When wallpaper was the stuff people pasted and hung on walls, rather than the screen saver of a mobile phone or computer, I worked for a wallpaper company. We used the term ‘distressed textures’ to classify designs that did the role of a plain paper, but were more broken up and patchy. Some mimicked flaking plaster, rusted metal or grungy wood, others were abstract.
Designers took inspiration from all walks of life, and mood boards of patterned objects decorated the studio: inspiration for themed collections with titles such as Cairo and Great Plains.
I was reminded of those mood boards last month at the Ag Museum in Jackson, MS, where visual treats were everywhere, hidden in plain sight. Inspiration for Agricola, I imagined: a contemporary homage to farm implements.
You might imagine old agricultural items would be utilitarian colours, but if that’s how these started out, time has evidently mellowed and played tricks with them. If you took the time to search out colour on painted metal or wood, it was sweet: red-pink and turquoise, with patches of green, sand and lilac. And rust.
Some of the patterns and combinations were baffling. What could have made the wiggly pink lines in the image above? (I’ve been advised that what I call ‘pink’ should more properly be termed ‘barn red’. I don’t suppose the distinction much matters, unless you’re a farmer who doesn’t fancy having a pink tractor.)
When my eyes linger, I’m struck by the subtle variety of colours – there’s a whole array in just the pedals. Here are a few more examples:
After a while, you start to find glimpses of colour even in plain old rust:
I did not expect to leave an Agriculture Museum celebrating textures, or at least, not in such vibrant colours as these.
All images were taken at the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum, 1150 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216-4728.
If you’re planning to visit, check out the Doctor’s Herb Garden. It’s looking good!
Susan Rushton 
Marvelous post, Susan! Your eye has found a bevy of delights… art in vintage agriculture. Brilliant!
I was surprised to keep finding the same delicious colours.
I can’t say I’ve seen a pink tractor in my travels, but I certainly have seen a bunch that are barn red. The Pickle Fest sounds like a good time!
My sweetheart went last year and enjoyed the hot spicy pickles.
If I indulged in too many hot spicy pickles I would be in a “pickle!”
My oh my oh my! What a feast of colors and textures. Art in real life. Reminds of the 2012 Austrian movie “Museum Hours.”
I looked it up – sounds interesting.
That is something I’ve found fascinating–how much beauty there can be in old, rusted and decaying objects. Reminds me I need to take some pictures in a yard near where I walk. Blue and rust–mmm, complementary colors!
I’m late replying, so perhaps you’ve got around to it by now?
So much amazing. Really nice 🙂
Not what you’d expect, I agree.
Your beautiful photo essay made it clear to me what distressed texture is.
I’m happy to have cleared that up.
Some of these would be perfect for contemporary book covers. Slap a title on in an eye-catching font, et voila!
A new career beckons!
Indeed!
Not only distressed textures but each a wonderful color palette as well.
I don’t have the sense I chose the colour palette – it appeared fully formed before me.
I wasn’t thinking that you necessarily chose them so much as saw and appreciated.
Well, thanks Steve.
I had no idea this was in Jackson. I must have gone right by multiple times. Next time in town I will pay more attention. Great images and article.👍
You can see some of the farm implements from the road.
I never noticed. Thanks.
I simply love this post. I’m always a fan of rust and the generally distressed, but you’ve taken it to a whole new level. Nothing like going to a different continent simply to enjoy a heap of past-its-sell-by-date farm equipment!
Put like that it seems… rather strange! 🙂
😉
Great abstractions and colors.
I’m glad you liked them.
Fabulous. Love these
Thanks!