Travelling on Canvas: Bringing the World Home | People are traveling more than ever—and often to destinations that feel once in a lifetime. We want to bring something back with us, not just souvenirs, but meaningful pieces that remind us of where we’ve been. For many, that means art. A painting, print or object from abroad carries the spirit of a culture and becomes part of our daily lives. I often return home with a piece of art—once a delicate crystal from Prague—that immediately transports me back to the place and moment.
A Journey Through Time
Travel-inspired art has been with us for centuries. During the Age of Exploration, maps and illustrated journals depicted newly discovered lands. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Grand Tour introduced young aristocrats to European masterpieces, and artists like J.M.W. Turner translated those travels into luminous landscapes. Later, Impressionists absorbed Japanese woodblock influences, and Paul Gauguin’s Tahitian works reflected cultural immersion abroad.
Today, artists continue this tradition, drawing on global experiences to create work that blends traditions and speaks across cultures.
Styling with Global Influence
You don’t need to be an artist to live with this spirit. Incorporating travel-inspired art into your home allows your space to tell the story of where you’ve been—or where you dream of going. Instead of scattering small trinkets, curate art and objects with intention, placing them where they can be appreciated daily.
- Anchor a Room: A painting of Venice’s canals or the American Southwest can become a focal point in a living or dining room.
- Mix Textures and Traditions: A Moroccan textile alongside contemporary furniture creates depth and narrative.
- Architectural Elegance: Framed sketches or prints of landmarks—whether the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower—add timeless sophistication.
- Layered Memories: Combine pieces from different trips to form a tapestry of your personal journeys.
From Travel to Home
When you select art abroad, you’re choosing more than décor—you’re preserving memory. Each piece embodies not just the look of a place but its energy: the bustle of a market, the quiet of a temple, the brilliance of a coastal sunset. Travel-inspired art grounds your home in story, inviting conversation and reflection.
In my own home, I live among many such pieces—artworks collected on my travels and treasures passed down from my mother, who brought back gifts from Peru, Panama, France and Holland. A cherished onyx box from her journeys sits beside Wedgewood pieces, each one a reminder not just of another culture’s artistry but of my loved ones who carried them home. They are curated with intention to sit beside curated pieces I’ve collected through the years.
Whether you are collecting a high-end painting or a simple piece that resonates with your experience, I encourage you to find something on your next trip that brings you back—an object that allows the world’s beauty to live with you every day.
This is just the beginning of a larger story. In the coming issues, we’ll explore specific cultures—how Moroccan textiles, Italian glass or Japanese ceramics can be incorporated into modern living spaces. Each culture offers its own artistry, and each piece you bring home has the potential to become part of your personal canvas.
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Thoughtful ways to bring home pieces that reflect culture, memory and timeless design
- Buy What Speaks to You: Choose the piece that stirs emotion—you’ll never tire of living with it.
- Support Local Artists: Seek out galleries, workshops and artisan markets for authentic works.
- Consider Scale: Think about how a textile, sculpture or painting will live in your home.
- Ask About Provenance: Stories of the artist and culture add depth to your collection.
- Protect on the Journey Home: Pack with care or use professional shipping when available.
- Curate, Don’t Clutter: Select with intention so every piece has room to shine.
Faith Berger is a St. Louis-based artist, working in acrylic, mixed medium collage. Visit her website at faithberger.com, find her on Instagram faithberger.art, or reach her via email at faith@faithberger.com.
