January 7th 2011

The fridge as a work of art

SMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of artSMEG fact: The fridge as a work of art

In the beginning, there were benefactors. Churches would commission artists to design large paintings that glorified creation, and the sovereign would hire sculptors and artists to come up with huge commemorative paintings of victories and battles.

Then, times changed and the world become more secular, and the Giottos, Michelangeloes and other artistic giants were replaced by the likes of Selwyn Senatori, an eclectic Italian-Dutch artist who paints directly onto refrigerators.

That’s why it’s now perfectly normal to see a cyclist in his final sprint pedaling like the wind on the pink door of a Smeg 1950’s style fridge . To honour the opening leg of the Giro d’Italia that began in Amsterdam some time ago, our Mr. Selwyn painted six FABs with images inspired by this historic cycling race - all before a live group of onlookers in the Smeg Holland showroom. 

Selwyn also illustrated six FAB30s entirely with seafaring themes during Sail Amsterdam 2010, the largest nautical exposition in the Netherlands.  Once again, he did it in front of a captivated crowd. 

That’s a far cry from the time when only Popes and emperors could witness such undertakings.  And let’s face it:  Botticelli, Perugino and Pinturicchio simply wouldn’t know what to do with a spray can now would they?

Read other Stories:
The coolest bookcase
June 11th 2013
Where do you least expect to find a fridge? Yes, precisely that - in a library! Some time ago, FAB28RR1 decided that he needed to learn more, to occupy his mind and make some progress in...
Beauty in pink
May 22nd 2013
What’s not to love about the new Group Chantelle’s ’Passionata’ advertising to celebrate its Spring/Summer 2013 collections? Bar Rafaeli, homemade food and top design are a pretty...
Chilled out tunes from Norway with FABulous Bass Cabinet
May 15th 2013
SMEG50style interviewed a pretty chilled out FAB28 in Norway to reveal how he may be well on his way to being the next big hit out of Scandinavia since ABBA: “Mamma mia, I was minding my...
Instructions on how to stitch together a fridge
April 17th 2012
For the tacking, take two renowned brands, two companies that share the deep sense of style, design and artistic inventiveness so typical of Italy: that je ne sais quoi, that something so...
The king of the third half
May 3rd 2011
Want to know the truth? What people think is true about rugby is only a partial truth. When people think about rugby, they think about the violence of the game, the collisions in the scrum...
Two Italian Jobs, two Different Actors
January 10th 2011
250 'limited-edition' 50’s inspired refrigerators recently rolled off the production line, styled with the MINI emblem, paintwork and original door handle. The bringing together of two well...
SMEG500 - Two leaders of Made-in-Italy excellence, one original item
June 7th 2013
What is a cooling motor doing underneath the bonnet of a Fiat 500? Smeg  and  Fiat  merge  form  and  function  to  create  an ...
Smeg wins "Good Design 2010" award
May 6th 2011
The Chicago Athenaeum acknowledges Newson for Smeg oven and hob. The Smeg oven and hob designed by Marc Newson are now officially listed amongst the very best of International design. The...
Smeg, not just products. Creations
January 7th 2011
Smeg created the 50’s style retro line in the mid-90’s. The first product, the fridge, was an immediate planetary success due to its indeterminate appeal, it is a fridge that does not...
WEST ELM  and SMEG
May 17th 2013
There is something magical about New York. For many, a year with the Big Apple in their face is one of life’s rites of passage. And little wonder why: there’s 800 languages spoken, 9...
FAB10 tests the new Jaguar XF Sportbreak
December 10th 2012
SMEG50style interviewed FAB10, our specialist test pilot, trackside. FAB10 was enthusiastic: "The control on the bends is wonderful, it was a great thrill even going slow in lower gears....
When style, design and good food make you reach for the sky.
October 23rd 2012
The Smeg philosophy has always been to stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of design quality, style and excellence. So it should come as no surprise that we jumped at the...