FABRIC OF LIFE

The impressive art collection continues into the bedroom, which features a large monochromatic artwork by Serge Alain Nitegeka behind the bed. The boudoir is separated from the rest of the living area via a corridor. The mesh skeleton entitled Child and framed ink painting Skull are both by Walter Oltmann

布藝生命

教人讚歎不已的藝術收藏一直延伸至睡房，床後放有Serge Alain Nitegeka的大型素色藝術品。睡房與其他生活空間靠一道走廊分隔。名為 的網狀骨頭作品，以及上框的水墨畫

均出自Walter Oltmann之手 latter originally screened off with little more than a curtain. Russell also incorporated a north-facing balcony area behind his bathroom to create a sheltered terrace and provide some much-needed "outdoor" space.

Over time, the way Russell inhabited the space evolved. "It was a lot more minimal when I moved in," he says, looking over an interior that, over the years, has been colonised by a diverse assortment of items – folding screens, chinoiserie juxtaposed with Italian glass, and African totems. "It’s how my eye sees things," Russell says. "It’s in the nature of who I am. I collect, I amass and I enjoy things." Other soft touches include the recent acquisition of a carpet for his lounge. "I didn’t have a carpet for nine years!" Russell exclaims. "It finally occurred to me that the space really needed one."

A gallery’s worth of art is just barely contained on the walls; it spills over onto tables and is even stacked on the floor. Russell’s personal collection – a beloved mix of commissions, acquisitions and accidental discoveries – is a catalogue of some of the best-known names in South African art, including sculptor Edoardo Villa, multimedia icon William Kentridge, and painter-printmaker Robert Hodgins. There are also prints, paintings, photographs, sculptures and installations by artists including Penny Siopis, Brett Murray, Joni Brenner, Steven Cohen, Conrad Botes, Serge Alain Nitegeka, Jodi Bieber and Simon Stone.

「我想保留開放格調。」他解釋最初翻新計劃時，跟建築師協商合作，對方專注基本濕工程和結構工作，這意味著廚房和浴室安裝，並略略「劃分客廳和睡房」，後者原本只以簾子封閉起來。Russell亦活用睡房後方的向北陽台範圍，打造帶有遮蔽的空間，充當必須的「戶外」區。

隨時日過去， Russell在單位中的生活方式也不停改變。「初期搬進時，單位簡約得多。」他說著，並看看多年來室內裝潢已被各式精品移植佔領——摺疊屏風、中國風交織意大利玻璃和非洲圖騰。「這就是我觀看事物的方式。」Russell表示：「生來本性就是如此。我會收集、積聚和享受事物。」其他軟裝飾包括近期為閒座區購置的地墊。「我已有九年沒買過地墊了！」Russell解釋道：「終於來到覺得空間需要一張地墊的一刻。」