We’re excited to have international DJ Chelsea Leyland guest curating an exclusive collection of art as part of our ongoing Guest Curator series. Read on to learn the first piece of art Chelsea bought, what’s on her playlist right now, and the role art plays in her life – plus, see some pics she’s snapped from the road.
Check out Chelsea’s collection of art, curated especially for Saatchi Online
Photo credit: Danielle Levitt
A British import that is making serious waves on this side of the pond, Chelsea Leyland is fast becoming one of the most sought after DJ’s for fashion, art and celebrity clients including Valentino, H&M, Vogue, Diane von Furstenberg and The Whitney Museum. Her musical style is eclectic – just like her taste in art – and she seamlessly mixes all genres from rock and reggae to hip hop and electro dance.
While she might have an exquisite ear for music, the young talent also has an inspired eye for art which she has been collecting for years. Just back from a whirlwind Fashion Week trip to London and Milan, Chelsea takes a moment to select some of her favorite pieces for an exclusively curated collection for Saatchi Online.
Check out Chelsea Leyland’s Guest Curator collection
Chelsea Djing
Getting to Know…
Chelsea Leyland
International DJ
How do you describe your personal style?
It can be a little bipolar! My style is influenced by how I feel and changes as often as the weather. One day I can look bohemian and the next day I might feel a little punk. It depends on what country I’m in or what client I’m playing for. I like changing my style as much as I feel the need to and that attitude is also reflected in how I play my music.
What role does art play in your life?
Art plays a huge role in my life. Since I work in “the arts,” I watch how fashion influences music or how music and art influence fashion. Everything in art coincides and plays off each other – I think the creative world is endless and there is never a right answer, which is what I love the most.
What do you collect?
I collect animal skulls and antique anatomical prints.
What was the last museum or gallery you visited?
Design Miami. I go to Miami every December to play for clients during Art Basel.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
A Basquiat piece.
A few pictures from Chelsea’s Instagram: “Home sweet home #London”; ”Home sweet home.”
Which artist would you most like to meet?
I wish I could have met Basquiat.
How does art inspire you, your life, your job?
It is everything. Art is brain food and it inspires every aspect of my life. If I’m not inspired, it’s hard to collaborate with other creatives – mainly the brands and designers I work with to create musical soundscapes for their events and fashion shows.
What was the first piece of art you purchased?
A Kehinde Wiley piece with my boyfriend.
What does the art in your home say about you?
It says, “I don’t fit into one box.” I love every piece of art in my house but none of it matches or makes any sense. My walls are totally full. I have everything from antique anatomical prints to photographs by contemporary photographers like Ryan McGinley.
If you could paint, draw, sculpt….
I wish I could draw more than anything.
More Instagram: “Djing for @dominicjonesjewellerywith @harrystyles”; ”The one & only @viviennewestwoodofficial LEGEND!! #LFW”
Special Bonus: Chelsea’s Music Picks for Saatchi Online
Bootsy Collins – “I’d Rather Be With You”
Ultraista – ”SmallTalk (Four Tet Remix)”
Jimmy Reed – “You’ve Got Me Dizzy”
LOL Boys – ”Changes”
N.O.R.E. – ”Nothin’”
Shelly Thunder – ”Kuff”
John Lee Hooker - “Catfish”
Serge Gainsbourg – “Lola Rastaquouère”
Ruth Brown – “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean”
Blaqstarr – “Shake It to the Ground”
Le Tigre – “Deceptacon”
Preview of Chelsea’s art collection for Saatchi Online:
Hello,
I share your taste for Basquiat. He’s a giant. I tried to convince my family with no big success
Thanks for the musical list. I’m always searching for something new and good to listen to.
I agree …why stick to one thing… diversity is what makes us interesting!
Basquiat…. Brilliantly controversial and energised collections.
would definitely be on my dinner party guest list! imagine the conversation!
great interview Chelsea! you are very inspiring
Thanks for the share of useful information.
“Serhiy Kolyada got in hot water with Kyiv’s art establishment with his ballpoint-on-construction paper productions, portraying Kyiv as a melancholy zone of shadows. Check out his Web site (www.kolyada.com) to see his nude or semi-nude women depicted against shadowy backgrounds of corporate slogans. It’s art as social commentary: gutsy reflections on money, power and gender issues in Ukraine.” ( “50 Great Things About Kyiv” KYIV POST, Oct 20, 2004)
i appreciate your eye though i can feed what my own eye needs to see & like your ear-playlist-good selection…..
I thought you might also enjoy this photo by my friend Alexa Hoyer:
http://www.alexahoyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/AHoyer_apple.jpg
interesting collection….
Jean-Michel Basquiat made a few skeleton and skull pieces – are these your favs?
.
what scene
what do you mean
forgive my blindness
i just aint keen
on your scene
its all to clean
what ive seen
of your scene
same shoes everywhere
same hair everywhere
like magazine hip
its something i’ll skip
i’ll stay alone
on my own
away from the plastics
those weekend drastics
snorting cocaine
like fashion spastics
i couldnt give a fuck
for the latest look
i dont care about hair
or the shoes i wear
im just out there
.
piss
.
only joking
love this lot
truly happening
many for posting
.
seems to be a great one
will have a closer look
probably ebay sells
cheap
agree with bobby
just one question
where to go from here
.
00
.
.
most poets
do shitty little jobs
live in shitty little places
cos the gift they have
doesnt pay the bills
cos the gift they have
and it is a gift
a true gift
a rare talent
isnt a job
its what they are
some people go mad
.
go on !
go mad.
.
flush
.
.
when the parties over
the ectasy is no more
the rush the push
the flush
the deep blue sea
one final jump
one last true high
a truly ecstatic goodbye
.
interesting collection
i enjoyed viewing very much
but no more of the pitiful (poetry)
.
please
.
word to albert
albert
maybe its true some of those great poets were mad
but not all those mad people were great poets
.
think about it
.