Crafts Council – COLLECT

Collect, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3, 2^nd-6^th February 2017

David Reekie,
‘Something to Cherish’,
London Glassblowing

The Crafts Council’s 5 day event is now in its 13th edition and this year has a new, fresh look and feel to it. A definite must visit place for all interested in modern design and craftsmanship. There are some thirty galleries, drawn from round the world, showing various disciplines such as ceramics, glass, art jewellery, silversmithing and metal, textiles, bookbinding, wood and furniture.

Chloe Peytermann
‘Papouasie HD 1’
Collection Ateliers D’Art De France

The Collect Open section of the Fair is best summed up by Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council, who said “Collect Open has been an important part of Collect since 2011. It is an opportunity for artists to be brave and challenge themselves to create new experimental work. We have seen some extraordinary installations over the years resulting in career-changing moments for the exhibitors. For visitors it presents an opportunity to gain real insight into the concept and process and talk directly to the artists who are with their work for the duration of the fair.”

Valeria Nascimento
Porcelain wall installation
120 x 300 cm approximately
jaggedart

Giuseppe Ducrot,
‘Anfora’,
glazed earthenware,
MADEINBRITALY

Hervé Wahlen,
‘Coelome’ ,
copperware ,
Galerie Michel Giraud

Hugh Miller- An Absense of Noise Collection 2016
Collect Open

Zoë Hillyard
Celadon Vase
H: 63cm D: 43cm
Contemporary Applied Arts
(Image credit: Zoë Hillyard)

Soonjin Kang – Falling 2016
Collect Open

collect17.org.uk

Zaha Hadid at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery

Jan28

Zaha Hadid – Early Paintings and Drawings, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, West Carriage Drive, Kensington Gardens, London W2, until 12^th February 2017

Zaha Hadid, Installation view, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London (8 December 2016 – 12 February 2017)
© Zaha Hadid Foundation. Image © 2016 Hugo Glendinning

It is totally appropriate that this exhibition should be held in the Serpentine Sackler Gallery because the firm of the late, celebrated architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) was involved in the renovation and extension of the gallery space. These early works by Hadid show how important drawing was in creating and depicting her designs and ideas.

Zaha Hadid, Installation view, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London (8 December 2016 – 12 February 2017)
© Zaha Hadid Foundation. Image © 2016 Luke Hayes

Her words of 2007 sum up her approach: “I have always been interested in the concept of fragmentation and with ideas of abstraction and explosion, de-constructing ideas of repetitiveness and mass production. My work first engaged with the early Russian avant-garde; in particular with the work of Kasimir Malevich – he was an early influence for me as a representative of the modern avant-garde intersection between art and design. Malevich discovered abstraction as an experimental principle that can propel creative work to previously unheard levels of invention; this abstract work allowed much greater levels of creativity.”

Zaha Hadid, Installation view, Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London (8 December 2016 – 12 February 2017)
© Zaha Hadid Foundation. Image © 2016 Hugo Glendinning

The show is supported by Swarovski and one of their board members, Nadja Swarovski, sums up their involvement: “We are pleased to be supporting the Serpentine Galleries for this exhibition. Swarovski was honoured to collaborate with Zaha for over a decade, creating an incredible body of work which ranged from lighting installations to sculpture, jewellery and home decor. Her vision always pushed us outside our comfort zone, and the results were breathtaking. I feel extremely privileged to have known her both as a friend and as a creative collaborator.”

hg4_1917

http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/

A Glimpse of Eden!

Jan26

Simafra – Eden, Maddox Gallery, 9 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London W1, until 11^th February 2017

Albero della conoscenza del bene e del male, 160x160 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2016

Albero della conoscenza del bene e del male,
160×160 cm, mixed media on canvas, 2016

One can quite understand why Simafra (aka Riccardo Prosperi) has become so successful with his works hanging in the homes of the likes of Cameron Diaz and other celebrities. This, his first London solo show (in association with Bellini Cipriani) consists of new works created in his Florentine studio.

Simafra says of them “I started thinking about nature when I was working on the site-specific installation at the Biagiotti Progetto Arte Foundation. The installation recreates a fictional jungle, where a real car is eaten by the jungle itself: the aim of the work is to reflect on the regenerating power of nature. During the installation, I came across a number of images of gardens, flowers and animals, that led me to the ‘Eden’ theme. Along with this natural theme, my paintings are meant to reflect on the eternal fight within good and evil, as suggested to me by our society. This theme is ancient and yet extant, just like my painting, that aims to be timeless”

http://www.maddoxgallery.co.uk

Ceramicists Celebrated!

Jan24

Ken Price: A Survey of Sculptures and Drawings, 1959 – 2006, Hauser & Wirth, 23 Savile Row, London W1, until 4^th February 2017

Installation view, ‘Ken Price. A Study of Sculptures and Drawings, 1959 – 2006’, Hauser & Wirth London
Photo: Alex Delfanne

Spread over both gallery spaces this exhibition provides an extensive survey of Ken Price’s ceramic output. Through drawings and sculptures we see how this innovative artist changed the way in which ceramics were regarded by transferring the concept of them being practical pieces into the idea of their being artworks in their own right. Drawing on many influences and inspirations he achieved this spectacularly.

Installation view, ‘Ken Price. A Study of Sculptures and Drawings, 1959 – 2006’, Hauser & Wirth London
Photo: Alex Delfanne

http://www.hauserwirth.com/

Shaping Ceramics: From Lucie Rie to Edmund de Waal, Jewish Museum London, Raymond Burton House, 129 – 131 Albert Street, London NW1, until 26^th February 2017

Antonia Salmon, Wind Rush, 2016 Height 32cm, Courtesy of Antonia Salmon

This is a marvellous opportunity to see the work of gifted potters and the exhibition starts with the Jewish émigrés who brought the ideas and styles of central Europe to a Britain where ceramicists were following the Anglo-Oriental fusion practiced by Bernard Leach. Lucy Rie, Hans Coper and Ruth Duckworth were promoted by Henry Rothschild, a refugee himself, through his London-based store Primavera.

Lucie Rie, Buttons, Courtesy of The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

From more recent times one sees the work of the celebrated Edmund de Waal and other of his generation, including those who express their Jewish identity through their work. It is a great celebration of ceramic art – I was particularly pleased to see a selection of the buttons created by Lucy Rie as I had first heard about them from Paul Atterbury many years ago.

Ray Silverman, Thrown Stoneware Form, around 1983 Photo Tal Silverman

I shall leave the final words to the Museum’s director Abigail Morris who has said ““This exhibition offers a new perspective on ceramics as well as an opportunity to see some beautiful artwork. It is the first time these ceramicists have been grouped and exhibited together in this way and we hope that our visitors will enjoy discovering how Jewish ceramicists changed the face of British studio pottery”

Edmund de Waal, Arcady, P489, 2007. Photo Heini Schneebeli, courtesy of the Crafts Council

jewishmuseum.org.uk

This January two fairs, one venue:

Jan22

The Winter Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11, 24^th-29^th January 2017

Pair of Louis XV Painted Bergere Armchairs – Adam Calvert Bentley

While I am sure that many of you will already know about this exciting regular event I always feel that it is worth reminding you that it is on. It is a magnet for homemakers, antique collectors and, of course, interior decorators. It is the sort of fair where you find the absolutely perfect thing – which you didn’t realise you wanted until you see it. Happy purchasing!

Wax Seal Tea Caddy – Adam Calvert Bentley

http://www.decorativefair.com

London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11, 24th -29^th January 2017

19th Century Kurdish rug from Sauj Bolaq, Kurdistan
Brian Macdonald

In this welcome move the LARTA Fair moves to the mezzanine floor at Battersea Evolution and makes the perfect combination with the Decorative Fair downstairs. Visitors will find a good range of collectable decorative rugs, carpets, tapestries, suzanis and embroideries and other textiles. Now that it will be a bigger event than usual there will also be some contemporary designs and a variety of tribal, Islamic and Asian artefacts, including jewellery as well. Don’t forget that the best pieces can be seen online in a ‘virtual fair’ which becomes live when the fair opens.

An early 1800’s Epigonation (in Greek meaning “over the knee”) vestment, worked in silver gilt on a red velvet ground.
Marilyn Garrow

http://www.larta.net

A celebration of early drawings

Jan20

Old Master Drawings 1465 to 1670, Les Enluminures, 23 East 73rd Street, 7th Floor Penthouse, New York, NY 10021, USA, 20^th – 28^th January 2017

GERMAN SCHOOL
Adoration of the Magi (200 x 282 mm.)
Germany, Swabia or Franconia, c. 1465-70

Les Enluminures has been selling important early drawings to both collectors and museums since 1991. These early works are becoming scarcer to source and so this is a very special exhibition of thirteen remarkable drawings which include sketches for compositions and fully worked drawings.

GERMAN SCHOOL
St. John the Evangelist (189 x 100 mm.)
Upper Rhine, c. 1480-90

The gallery’s Dr Sandra Hindman sums it up: “There remains much to be learned from early drawings, and because of their increasing rarity, as well as intrinsic artistic interest, every example merits close attention and further study. Here is an uncommon opportunity for private collectors and institutions alike to acquire an Old Master drawing that documents an early moment in the history of drawing.”

FLEMISH SCHOOL
A Study of Monsters and Grotesques (267 x 416 mm.)
Belgium, Antwerp (?), c. 1625-1650

http://www.lesenluminures.com

AUCTION ALERT: Emma Hamilton, 24th January 2017

Jan18

Lot 204. Lady Emma Hamilton (1765-1815) – signed letter. Est £300

I thought that I should share the fact that this letter written by Emma Hamilton may be of interest. This auction of more than a thousand signatures by historical figures includes letters from Emma Hamilton and her husband Sir William Hamilton. The collection was put together by the late John Evans and will be on 24^th January at Campbells, 44-46 High St, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1LL.

Lot 204. Lady Emma Hamilton (1765-1815) – signed letter. Est £300

http://www.campbellsauctions.co.uk

The 2017 London Art Fair

Jan16

London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1, 18^th-22^nd January 2017

Deborah Azzopardi
Love is the Answer…, 2016
Limited Edition Silk-Screen Print with Platinum Leaf
121 x 87 cm
47 5/8 x 34 1/4 in.
Edition of 15
Courtesy, The Cynthia Corbett Gallery

The London Art Fair – this the 29^th – to me sets the scene for the year ahead and gives some indication of what we might expect the market to be like. It has a wide remit covering art from the early 20^th century to the present day and has one hundred and twenty nine participating galleries. More than a fifth of these come from overseas.

EUAN UGLOW (1932-2000)
Two Peaches, 1992
oil on board
7 x 9 7/8 inches
Browse & Darby

There are talks, tours and performances aimed at all levels of collectors and there is also ‘Photo50’ which celebrates contemporary photography. This year’s Museum Partnership is with The Lightbox, Woking who are showing works from the Ingram Collection in a special exhibition entitled ‘Ten Years: A Century of Art’.

Paul Wright
‘Summer Profile’
Thompson’s Gallery

Going to the Match signed by L.S. Lowry, 1972. Edition of 300 Image Size: 52.8 x 68.0cm. Available from www.peterharrington.co.uk

Going to the Match signed by L.S. Lowry, 1972.
Edition of 300
Image Size: 52.8 x 68.0cm.
Available from http://www.peterharrington.co.uk

Antoine-Louis Barye, French, (1796-1875)
Walking Lion, 1836
Dimensions:
Height 10 in 24 cm
Length 16 in 40 cm
Sladmore Gallery

Sam Burford
Top Films of the 20th Century
Number 1, 2016 cropped
Fiumano Projects

Nitin Amin
Selfhood Series (detail) 2006, 28 x 33 cm each, total width 272 cm, analogue photographs, edition of 12.
courtesy Nunnery Gallery, copyright the artist

Maria Friberg,
Belonging II, 2010,
pigment print, silicone mounted on aluminium, 58 x 80 cm
Pi Artworks London

Iain Faulkner
Paris Morning 2016
Oil on Canvas 91.5 x 91.5 cm (36 x 36 in)
Pontone Gallery

www.londonartfair.co.uk

BOOK REVIEW: Emma Hamilton Seduction & Celebrity

Jan13

Emma Hamilton

Seduction & Celebrity

(In association with the Royal Museums Greenwich)

Edited by Quintin Colville with Kate Williams

ISBN 9780500252208

£29.95

emma-hamilton-jacket

It would have been totally wrong for me to have mentioned this beautifully illustrated book when I reviewed the marvellous exhibition ‘Emma Hamilton Seduction & Celebrity’ at the National Maritime Museum (6^th January, 2017) since this book is equally as enjoyable and while complementing the exhibition it very definitely stands alone too. It takes us into the world of Emma Hamilton (1765–1815) and reassesses her life and role and shows her cultural and social achievements. I have always thought that if Emma could have gained the confidence and friendship of Naples’s Queen Maria Carolina, daughter of Maria Theresa, then there was obviously something more substantial than being just a temptress about her.

The contributors which also include Vic Gatrell, Hannah Greig, Jason Kelly, Margarette Lincoln, Christine Riding and Gillian Russell bring a fresh understanding of a woman who not only captured the heart of a great naval hero but has beguiled us ever since.

Porcelain lovers will also be interested to see the series of pictures of Emma’s beloved Merton Place done by Thomas Baxter who is also well known for the decoration of porcelain.

www.thamesandhudson.com

Some French Art in London

Jan11

CLAUDE & FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE, Ben Brown Fine Arts.12 Brook’s Mews, London W1, until 26th JANUARY 2017

Moutons by François-Xavier Lalanne in a set conceived by Manfredi della Gherardesca
Photo: Tom Cartier. Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts 2016

This is a hugely enjoyable exhibition celebrating the creative talents of Claude and the late François-Xavier Lalanne. Their distinctive style explores the natural world through sculpture and one can easily understand why their work features in the collections and homes of Peter Marino, Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, François Pinault, Bernard Arnault and of course the late Yves Saint Laurent.

Installation view – Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne in a set conceived by Manfredi della Gherardesca
Photo: Tom Cartier. Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts 2016

www.benbrownfinearts.com

Fabienne Verdier: Rhythms and Reflections, Waddington Custot, 11 Cork Street, London W1 until 4^th February 2017

Fabienne Verdier at work on the Walking Paintings series
courtesy Waddington Custot

I must say I do wonder why this is Fabienne Verdier’s first UK solo show as her mixture of Eastern and Western artistic traditions are remarkable. The exhibition features some thirteen new works from her Walking Paintings series and Rhythms and Reflections. This latter group reflect her period as artist-in-residence at New York’s Juilliard School in 2014 and show how music and art can be combined. As the image suggests her working process is highly physical.

Fabienne Verdier, Ressac II, 2016,
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 226 x 150 cm,
courtesy Waddington Custot

www.waddingtoncustot.com

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Tim Forrest's E & A

Art & Antiques, etc – news from London and around

Monthly Archives: January 2017