Jason Moattar’s fine art collection demonstrates the perfect balance of high and low
Produced, written and directed by Brian Patrick Flynn with photography by Sarah Dorio
First of all, shame on you for hyperlinking to a story solely based on its deceptively edgy title. Next, thank you for hyperlinking to a story solely based on its deceptively edgy title. With the current state of our economy sucking it hard, it seems rather preposterous to drop money on fine art — yes? Well, not in Jason Moattar’s case. The matinee idol-esque metrosexual shares both DNA and ownership of designer rug showroom Moattar, Ltd. with his sister, Andrea. Jason’s decked-out walls demonstrate two things: art collections can be done cost-effectively and the rug expert’s eye for style peers far beyond Turkish Oushaks. Peachtree Street’s Prince of Persia led us on a magic carpet ride through his high-rise for a lesson in how gathering rare artistic finds can be easy on the eyes AND the checkbook.
Up in pieces
Mr. Moattar dines with Ms. Pamela Anderson every night…literally. Well, kinda. Jason enlisted designer slash showroom owner Ryan Hughes to cost-effectively fabricate a fractured image of the blonde bombshell as a focal point. Hughes urged his carpetmaster client to print the image on canvas and hang as a 16-piece dining room installation. By doing this themselves, the dynamic duo completed the project for a mere fraction of a gallery purchase.
Media play
Jason gave his walls the royal treatment by splurging on art by Clint Bearden. The artist’s high style juxtaposes mixed media with found materials such as the piece above applied to wood. A slight reflection from a Plexiglas facade achieves Bearden’s signature seen-through-the-looking-glass effect.
Roundabout manner
Above the viewing room sofa sits a trio of hand-cut wood film reels scored at a medium price-point from the Sundance Catalog. The celluloid counterparts [24, 32 and 42 inches in diameter] are an excellent way to add graphic impact and shape to an expansive blank wall.
Standing in line
David Howland’s striped masterpiece was Jason’s living room splurge. Howland creates his beauties with acrylic and resin on wood panel.
Charity case
Jason’s secret method for fine art on a dime? Charity auctions and philanthropies. This diptych by Todd Alexander was a steal from the silent auction of a Human Rights Campaign event. Alexander uses mixed media and often includes graphic lines of animals. Moattar is a regular to the non-profit scene; he sits on the Atlanta board of DIFFA.
Moattar’s Most Wanted
Clearly, Jason is a huge fan of Clint Bearden! A second piece featuring a moody, tree-covered trail stems from a collection of Bearden’s work with oil paint. The common thread among Bearden’s forest-like scenes is his beautifully majestic use of light and shadow. Jason’s third and final [for now] piece from Bearden is completely unlike the others: bamboo stalks against a bold shade of orange. While the first two paintings were splurges, Bearden’s brighter side was another wallet-friendly score found at a Human Rights Campaign silent auction [where, apparently, Jason is becoming a VIP].
Reptilian scale
“Snake and Ball” was snatched from the walls of the Baker, Knapp and Tubbs showroom. Unbeknownst to most people, decorative art in boutiques is often for sale quite reasonably; many pieces are on loan from artists aiming to increase visibility.
Sketchy appearance
This final piece from Jason’s hallway is a side-of-the-road purchase done right. Our handsome fella scored this figure drawing for next to nothing streetside in Highlands, NC., then sent it off to the Moattar family’s framer. Framing virgins can get a taste of what’s out there by scanning the options available online at Larson Juhl. Something my photographer and I brought up upon our exit of Maison Moattar — our featured collector was every bit as enjoyable to look at as his art.
For more information on Moattar rugs, click your way over to Moattar, Ltd. Facebook users can get friendly with the company via the Moattar fan page.
