Trend: Charming homewares for an artistic living space from Fable and Mirth

Having seen amazing works at London Craft Week and garden trends at Chelsea Flower Show, our heads may be full of decorating ideas to bring crafts and floral beauty into a living space.

Online home products retailer Fable and Mirth * has unveiled its latest collection of homeware products that answer to the trend of folk florals, ideal for uplifting a living space with country cottage charm.

A ceramic vase in the shape of a jug features an embossed blue and green floral motif
from Fable and Mirth 

Cream Ceramic Mug with embossed flower
from Fable and Mirth

This range features an assortment of plates, jugs, vases, mugs, and more, all adorned with folk florals, with each drawing inspiration from traditional folk art motifs to tell a tale of whimsy and elegance, from delicate wildflowers to vibrant blossoms.

Ceramic green lunch plate adorned with embossed flowers
from Fable and Mirth
 

"Our mission at Fable and Mirth is to provide our customers with lovely and unique items that add joy and character to their homes," says founder Neely Reyes. 

"Our collection of folk floral homeware is a celebration of nature's beauty and the rich heritage of traditional craftsmanship. We are excited to bring this captivating trend to our customers and help them create spaces as distinctive as they are."

Ceramic soft blue lunch plate with embossed flowers
from Fable and Mirth

Reyes added that the folk floral range is meticulously curated, featuring handpicked pieces from artisans and designers around the globe. 

"Crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, these items showcase the highest standards of quality and aesthetics. Whether savouring your morning coffee from a beautifully patterned mug or displaying flowers in an intricately painted vase, each piece tells its unique story and becomes a cherished part of your home decor."

* Fable and Mirth is an independent online retail store that curates and designs delightful luxury products from all over the world. With a focus on uniqueness and quality, They offer a carefully selected range of handcrafted pottery, artisanal candles, designer clothing, accessories, and more. 

Art: Turner Prize 2023 shortlist announced; Towner Eastbourne to host exhibition September 28 to April 14 2024

by Lucia Carpio, Head of Content

Towner Eastbourne, the East Sussex art gallery, will host the Turner Prize 2023, the world’s leading prize for contemporary art, from September 28 2023 to April 14 2024.

Tate Britain has announced the four shortlisted nominees as Jesse Darling, Ghislaine Leung, Rory Pilgrim and Barbara Walker.  The winner will be announced on December 5 2023 at an award ceremony in Eastbourne's Winter Gardens.

Installation view of Jesse Darling, Enclosures at Camden Art Centre, 2022.
Photo by Eva Herzog. Courtesy of the artist and Camden Art Centre, London.

Jesse Darling was nominated for his solo No Medals, No Ribbons at Modern Art Oxford and Enclosures at Camden Art Centre.  Darling's work encompasses sculptures and installations which evoke the vulnerability of the human body and the precariousness of power structures.  The jury was struck by Darling's ability to manipulate materials in ways that skillfully express the messy reality of life.  They felt that these exhibitions revealed the breadth and integrity of Darling's practice, exposing the world's underlying fragility and refusing to make oneself appear legible and functioning to others.

Ghislaine Leung, Fountains. Installation View at Simian, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2023. Courtesy the artist and Simian, Copenhagen; and Maxwell Graham, New York; and Cabinet, London.
Photo credit GRAYSC.

Ghislane Leung was nominated for her solo exhibition Fountains at Simian, Copenhagen.  Leung's work takes the form of "scores" - sets of instructions which test the boundaries of the gallery space.  Baby monitors, child safety gates, inflatable structures, toys, and water fountains are used to turn the exhibition structure on its head, asking questions about time, leisure and labour.  The jury particularly commended the warm, humorous and transcendental qualities that lay behind the sleek aesthetic and conceptual nature of Leung's work, as well as her commitment to challenging the way art is produced and circulated.

Rory Pilgrim's RAFTS, 2022, HD Video Still (1:06:55). Courtesy of andriesse~eyck galerie.

Rory Pilgrim was nominated for the commission RAFTS at Serpentine and Barking Town Hall, and a live performance of the work at Cadogan Hall, London.  Pilgrim's work interweaves stories, poems, music and film, created in collaboration with local communities in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, to reflect on times of change and struggle during the pandemic.  The jury praised the project as a standout example of social practice.  They felt that Pilgrim's beautiful and affecting musical arrangements gave light to their collaborators' voices and that the confidence and vulnerability of the performance reflected the strength of the relationship between artist and community.

Barbara Walker's Burden of Proof, 2022. Installation view: Sharjah Biennial 15, Old Diwan Al Amiri, 2023. Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation with the support of The Whitworth, The University of Manchester.
Photo by Danko Stjepanovic.

Barbara Walker was nominated for her presentation entitled Burden of Proof at Sharjah Biennial 15.  With a practice that interrogates past and present issues of racial identity, exclusion and power, Walker's presentation explores the impact of the Windrush scandal, underlaying figurative drawn portraits with facsimiles of the documentation these individuals had to produce to prove their right to remain.  The jury applauded Walker's ability to use portraits of monumental scale to tell stories of a similarly monumental nature, whilst maintaining a profound tenderness and intimacy across the full scope of her work.

Turner Prize, one of the best-known prizes for the visual arts in the world, aims to promote public debate around new developments in contemporary British art.  Established in 1984, the Prize is awarded to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work in the previous twelve months.

The Turner Prize winner will be awarded £25,000 with £10,000 awarded to the other shortlisted artists.

Turner Prize 2023 is one of the major events of Towner 100, a year-long centenary celebration of arts and culture across Eastbourne.  The other major exhibition  at Towner Eastbourne this year is Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life which is currently held until September 25 2023.

Members of the Turner Prize 2023 jury are Martin Clark, Director, Camden Art Centre; Cédric Fauq, Chief Curator, Capc musée d’art contemporain de Bordeaux; Melanie Keen, Director of Wellcome Collection; and Helen Nisbet, Artistic Director, Art Night.  The jury is chaired by Alex Farquharson, Director, Tate Britain.

With support from Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, the Turner Prize 2023 will bring transformative cultural and social experiences for visitors and residents, said Joe Hill, Director and CEO of Towner Eastbourne.

In a press release, Hill said the Towner Eastbourne looks forward to welcoming the shortlisted artists who will collectively bring a sense of place and community to the galleries, through their diverse range of practices, from film and performance to drawing and sculpture.  

"Together they are an incredibly strong set of exhibiting artists, who ask us to look at some of the most pertinent issues of today.  

"There is really something for everyone to engage with in this shortlist and my thanks to the jury for their research, knowledge and insight in putting forward these four brilliant artists for the exhibition."

Exhibition: Towner Eastbourne hosts landmark Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life - May 27 - September 3

by Lucia Carpio and Alan Tyler, Content Editors

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life* - a landmark retrospective exhibition of the iconic British artist's work - is launched at Towner Eastbourne Saturday May 27, running to September 3 2023.  This is one of the major events to mark the gallery's centenary celebrations this year.

The exterior walls of Towner Eastbourne featuring a large-scale colourful geometric artwork is entitled Dance Diagonal (2019) by UK-based German artist Lothar Götz.  The artwork was commissioned to mark the 10th anniversary of the gallery's move from its originalhome in Eastbourne’s Old Town.  Götz was chosen from 60 artists and designers.  The award-winning building was designed by Rick Mather Architects.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, particularly within the realm of sculpture, Barbara Hepworth's innovative approach to form, her exploration of abstraction, and her ability to merge organic and geometric elements in her works were ground-breaking and had a significant impact on the development of modern sculpture.

Barbara Hepworth's sculptures often conveyed a sense of transcendence and spirituality, through the interplay of positive and negative spaces, the use of light and shadow, and the incorporation of voids. 
Above, in the space for Metal and Movement are three sculptures.  From left to right, Forms in Movement (Galliard), 1956, Copper; Curved Form (Trevalgan), 1956, Bronze; and Sea Form (Porthmeor), 1958, Bronze.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth's wide-ranging interests in music, dance, theatre, politics, and literature also informed her artistic practice. These influences shaped her approach to form, space, rhythm, and materials, leading to the creation of sculptures that embodied a harmonious relationship between nature, the arts, and society. 

Born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1903, Hepworth was trained in sculpture at Leeds School of Art and later at the Royal College of Art where she was exposed to various artistic disciplines, including theatre and stage design.

Barbara Hepworth's Totem, 1961-62.  Marble.
© Bowness. Wakefield Permanent Art Collection (The Hepworth Wakefield)
Photograph on mural shows the artist in her Cornwall studio, the Palais de Danse in St. Ives.
Photo by Lucia Carpio

The exhibition opens with a introduction to the artist's work.  Visitors are greeted with Totem, a white marble sculpture created in 1961-62.  And this space is enhanced by a mural depicting an enlarged photograph that transport visitors to Hepworth's world.  Taken in 1961, the photo shows Hepworth in her studio Palais de Danse, in St Ives, Cornwall, with a series of her sculptures.

Elsewhere in a space for Metal and Movement are three imposing sculptural forms that the artist returned to repeatedly throughout her career using a variety of different materials.  Created in 1956, after a period of 30 years, Hepworth returned to making sculptures in bronze and also copper.  

Photo by Lucia Carpio

The sculptures showcase her interest in exploring the relationship between positive and negative space.  

One may look at these sculptures individually, but also observe and contemplate them collectively while sitting on a bench in front, admiring the sculptures from a seated perspective.

Through abstract forms, Hepworth reveals her enduring ability to express essential human experiences, from interpersonal relationships to our connection to the world around us. 

A detailed look at Hepworth's childhood in Yorkshire through archive material and photographs include some of the artist's earliest known paintings, carvings and life drawings as she began to explore movement and the human form.  

Barbara Hepworth's Pierced Hemisphere, 1937. White marble.
Hepworth was interested in how sculptures interacted with light, shadow,
and the viewer's perspective, aiming to evoke a sense of performance and engage the audience.  
The Hepworth Wakefield (Wakefield art Collection)
Photo by Alan Tyler

After settling in Cornwall in 1939, Hepworth was inspired and influenced by the region's unique landscape. The natural forms, textures, and contours of the Cornish coastline and countryside found expression in her sculptures. She often incorporated the idea of landscape into her works, creating abstracted forms that evoked a sense of place and the organic shapes of nature.

The theatrical world influenced her approach to the presentation and staging of her sculptures. She often considered the spatial relationship between sculptures and their surroundings, carefully positioning them in specific contexts to create a dramatic effect. Visitors to the exhibition are given space to admire Hepworth's work from different angles around the displays, experiencing Hepworth's sense of space while engaging with the pieces.

Barbara Hepworth at work on the plaster prototype for the United Nations Single Form at the Morris Singer foundry, London, May 1963.
Image by Morgan-Walls, courtesy of Towner Eastbourne

Another of Hepworth's most famous work is "Single Form" (1961-1964): Created as a memorial to the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld, this monumental bronze sculpture stands at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The abstract form, with a hollow centre and pierced surfaces, symbolizes the human figure and embodies the themes of spirituality and transcendence.  At the exhibition, mounted on a large photograph of the unveiling ceremony at the UN headquarters plays a closed loop of a video depicting Hepworth's speech at the ceremony.

Barbara Hepworth's Kneeling Figure, 1932. Rosewood.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth was politically engaged, particularly during the post-World War II period. Her belief in social progress and the role of art in society influenced her work. She aimed to create sculptures that were accessible to the public and fostered a sense of community. Hepworth's interest in the politics of the time informed her exploration of themes such as unity, interconnectedness, and the human form's relationship to society.

One may recall Hepworth's "Winged Figure" (1963-1964), a monumental bronze sculpture situated outside the John Lewis department store in Oxford Street, London, a prominent public artwork. It depicts a standing figure with outstretched wings, symbolizing the triumph of the human spirit. The sculpture's dynamic and graceful lines capture a sense of movement and energy.

In the foreground, Baarbara Hepworth's Bicentric Form, 1949. Limestone.
A fusion of two figures into one sculptural entity, explained Hepworth, thus expressing her interest in individual and social relationships and perhaps reference to Cornwall's ancient standing stones.
In the background is Cone and Sphere, 1973. White marble. In her last years,
she returned to working in marble in earnest.
At the back is a series of Hepworth's lithographs, created in the 1970s in reference to Man's first Moon Landing.  Hepworth embraced the impact of scientific advances with a sense of spirituality.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth had a keen interest in poetry and literature, often drawing inspiration from literary works, and found connections between the written word and the visual arts, seeking to express poetic ideas and evoke emotional responses through her sculptures. Hepworth's engagement with literature influenced her exploration of themes such as spirituality, identity, and the human condition.

Hepworth had a deep appreciation for music and dance, which found resonance in her sculptures. She often described her sculptures in musical terms, relating their rhythms, harmonies, and melodies to the movement and flow of her artworks. 

A section at the exhibition looks at Hepworth's interest in science and technology, from the bold geometric abstsact drawings and sculptures made in the 1930s and her friendship with physicist J D Bernal, through to her iconic Hospital Drawings of the 1940s, and her fascination with the Space Race in the 1960s. 

Barbara Hepworth, Tibia Graft 1949, was one of her Hospital Drawings.
Image courtesy of Towner Eastbourne

In the series of Hospital Drawings, Hepworth created immense intimacy within the operating theatre. She drew focus to the surgeons' hands, but it was in their eyes, in a face covered in surgical mask that Hepworth was able to capture the intensity of their important work.

Barbara Hepworth's Curved Form (Wave II), 1959 Bronze with steel rods
Hepworth was interested in the harmony between organic and geometric shapes,
 seeking to create a visual language that bridged the natural and the technological.
Photo by Alan Tyler

Hepworth's interest in science and technology is evident in her sculptural practice, seeking to integrate elements of scientific abstraction and mathematical principles into her work. Her sculptures often feature precise, geometric forms that reflect her engagement with scientific ideas.  She was influenced by the progressive intellectual climate of her time and the influence of movements like Constructivism. Her engagement with scientific principles and the integration of technology in her work allowed her to explore new possibilities in sculpture and reflect the changing world around her.

One example was Curved Form (Wave II) she did in 1959, which was a variation of a sculpture that Hepworth had made in 1943-44.  According to description accompanying the piece, she later wrote about creating these encircling and open shapes: "I had a studio room looking straight towards the horizon of the sea and enfolded (but with always the escape for the eye straight out to the Atlantic) by the arms of the land to the left and the right of me."   

Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life received rave reviews when previously shown at Hepworth's home town in St. Ives, then in Wakefield and Edinburgh.  Now in the Towner Eastbourne it is an opportunity to explore the iconic artist's (1903 - 1975) work in a town nestled between the south English coast and the South Downs overlooking the English Channel, an idyllic spot where the land and the sea meet, important for an artist who juxtaposed land and sea; solid and fluid.

*Barbara Hepworth Art & Life is organised by The Hepworth Wakefield in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland (Edinburgh), Tate St Ives and Towner Eastbourne.

Design Event: Clerkenwell Design Week May 23 to 25 in London

by Staff Writer

The Clerkenwell district of London is buzzing and ready to host its own Design Week running from May 23 to 25. 

The district's history, concentration of design showrooms, proximity to other creative hubs, unique blend of old and new, vibrant culinary scene, and regular design-focused events make it an attractive destination for the fashionable and creative design set.

More than 160 local showrooms are welcoming the design community through their doors during Clerkenwell Design Week 2023, with over 600 curated events taking place, and everything from workshops to product launches, exclusive previews, lego building, coffee tasting, talks, networking events and much more. During this annual festival, designers, architects, and creative professionals from around the world come together to explore the latest trends and developments in the industry.  

Amidst the bustle of London, Clerkenwell still feels like an oasis of calm, and holds great significance for the creative industries due to its concentration of design showrooms, studios, and galleries. 

Historically, Clerkenwell was an industrial area known for its craftsmanship and manufacturing. It was home to numerous trades such as clockmakers, jewellers, and printers. Over time, the district has evolved into a thriving creative and design hub, attracting architects, designers, artists, and artisans.

Clerkenwell's charm lies in its unique blend of historical and contemporary elements. The district is characterized by its picturesque cobbled streets, converted warehouses, and industrial architecture, which have been repurposed into modern workspaces, art galleries, and design studios. This fusion of the old and new creates an inspiring atmosphere that appeals to the fashionable and creative design set.

Another reason for Clerkenwell's appeal to the creative industries is its proximity to other creative hubs in London, such as Shoreditch and the West End. The district is well-connected, with excellent transport links, making it easily accessible for professionals working in the design and fashion fields.

Clerkenwell is also known for its thriving culinary scene, with a wide range of trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants. This vibrant food culture attracts creative professionals, providing them with places to socialize, network, and find inspiration.

For the full Clerkenwell Design Week programme click HERE.  Got to get your skates on.

Craft: Pottery Art for an Artistic home on show at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

There's a renewed interest in handmade crafts for interior design, as the decorative wares are instrumental in enhancing an "artistic" home and the recently held London Crafts Week put creativity and innovation at the forefront of crafted art appreciation in everyday life.

Left and centre, Leonard King's Anglo-Persian vases produced under the "Burmantofts Faience" name decorated with attractive compositions in blues, greens and purple, influenced by popular "Persian" ceramics
of William De Morgan, c1885-90.
Right, "Parti-Coloured" vase made by Burmantofts, Leeds, c1895-1904.
Earthenware, painted and glazed.

For two centuries, displaying art pottery has been key to creating a fashionable home with artistic tones in the rich and dynamic history of British art pottery, encompassing various movements, styles and individual artistic expressions.  

A group of flower vases, plates and tile from Doulton Lambeth, painted by Mary Butterton, Lizzie Shettleworth,
Matilda S. Adam and Alberta L. Green, among others.
Earthenware, painted and glazed.

Now an interesting mix of fine examples of pottery art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries showcasing an eclectic mix of British art potteries and their artists, many of them women, is currently showing at London's Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington, until 25th September 2023.

Entitled "The Artistic Home", the impressive exhibition of British art pottery are from the private collection of Ian and Rita Smythe who generously gifted it to the V&A in 2018.  

The Smythes started collecting pottery art from the 1960s, and put them on display throughout their house, complete with wallpaper, furniture, lighting and stained glass from the period.  One can imagine a truly artistic home that the Smythes created for themselves with the beautifully hand-crafted pottery art on show.   These stunning wares will give us inspiration in our contemporary homes.

Made by Doulton Lambeth, a mermaid vase, a fairy vase and a vase with female figures all by Margaret E. Thompson about 1900.  Earthenware, painted and glazed.

In pursuing beauty during the Aesthetic Movement between 1870s and 1880s, art potteries and studios began to open, where pieces were made and decorated by hand, marking a departure from traditional ceramic production.  Artists were given the opportunity to gain recognition for their work, experiment with decoration and create novel designs. Amateurs, art students and professional artists all became engaged with what was often called "china painting".  Many of these were women who had previously been unable to enter employment or practice art professionally. 

During the ensuing Arts and Crafts Movement in late 19th century to early 20th century, influential figures such as William Morris and Charles Robert Ashbee, advocated for a return to craftsmanship and the integration of art into everyday life. In the pottery world, this led to the establishment of workshops and studios producing handcrafted, artistically designed pieces. 

Framed charger with female portrait painted by Rebecca Coleman at Monton's Art Pottery Studio, London 1871-5.  Earthenware, painted and glazed.

In the current V&A exhibition are beautiful vases, chargers, candle sticks, dishes, wall plaques, tiles, a fireplace surround and panels, in bright colours, lustrous glazing, featuring such well-known factories as the Della Robbia Pottery and Burmantofts in Northern England, and William De Morgan, Minton Art Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, and Doulton Lambeth in London. Notable artists at Doulton Lambeth were Mary Capes and Margaret E. Thompson, while at Della Robbia were Alice Louisa Jones, Alice Rathbone and Routh Bare.   With the success of artistic stoneware in companies such as Doulton Lambeth, women, many from the middle classes, were employed to carry out painterly decoration, creating a new style to suit the artistic Victorian home, according to the V&A.

A "Parti-coloured" jardiniere and stand with peacock made by Burmantofts, Leeds, C1895-1904. Earthen ware, moulded, painted and glazed.
Large decorative pots and jardinieres were created to house exotic plants brought into Britain and Europe.

There is an array of eclectic design themes as artists took inspiration from various sources, including Islamic art, Italian Renaissance, gardens and the natural world. Featured motifs range from flowers and foliage, to plants, animals, fruits, birds and peacocks, fairies and mermaids even.

Two dishes with female portraits painted by Charlotte H. Spiers, London, 1883, 81; on Minton blanks.
Earthenware, painted and glazed.

On show were also designs by independent artists.  As the fashion for painted pottery grew, artists who had trained in other fields often tried their hand at "china painting" and retailers sold factory blanks for independent artists to decorate and offered to fire them in their kilns once painted. Large chargers, dishes and tiles were the most popular objects as it was easier to design and paint onto a flat surface.

As contemporary British art pottery continued to thrive, a wide range of approaches and styles can be found today, including traditional techniques, experimental forms, and conceptual installations. Artists like Turner Prize 2003 winner Grayson Perry and renowned ceramist Edmund de Waal have achieved international acclaim, pushing the boundaries of ceramics as an art form.

Grayson Perry's "Matching Pair" vases.

Marking once of the entrances to the ceramics section of the V&A is a pair of large Vases, glazed earthenware, hand-built with incised, painted and printed decoration.  These were not part of the Artistic Home exhibition.

All photos above by Lucia Carpio.

On the White Road set of four bone china plates.
Image from Victoria and Albert Museum website.

Edmund de Waal has created a limited collection set of four bone china plates, On the White Road, as shown above, produced in collaboration with the V&A and Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent.  

Exhibition: Vivienne Westwood's legendary Corsets on show in the late designer's flagship London store

There is little doubt the late designer Vivienne Westwood's legacy is often defined by her legendary corsets.

Audrey Corseted Dress
SS 2023 Collection
in the Shop window of
Vivienne Westwood London Mayfair flagship

And currently as part of London Craft Week, the fashion house is hosting an exhibition of a selection of her revolutionary corsets in her London Mayfair flagship store, charting the history of her creations, from the first corset she produced in the mid-80s to those from her most recent collection before her death in December. 

Each piece in the "Vivienne Westwood Corsets: 1987 to Present Day" show demonstrates Westwood's ingenuity in corsetry design.  The show also includes those created by her partner and husband, Andreas Kronthaler.

As evidenced in her creations, Vivienne Westwood reinvented the corset by updating a structure that dates to the 18th century.

Exploring the house’s subversion of corsetry from 1987 to the present day, "Vivienne Westwood Corsets" examines the late designer’s approach to underwear as outerwear. 

In the shop window is the Audrey Corseted Dress featuring an ivory silk satin column design, with a sculpted corset top.  The iconic Westwood broken pearls cascade from the neckline, lending a classic style an asymmetrical touch.  It was first shown in the couture bridal collection of 2022, evoking the golden age of the silver screen,

The exhibition pieces on display in the shop are not labeled but visitors can get detailed information on each piece via QR code scanning, through which one can also hear experts discuss the featured corset pieces, including narrations by Alexander Fury, fashion journalist, author and critic.

Above, Sunday Corset
Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 2023 "Born to Rewild" Collection, inspired by the sweetheart curved line of the "Gigi" corset, from the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood collection.

Above, from left to right, Court Corset Dress, Short-sleeved Court Corset, and Historcal Corset.

The "Vivienne Westwood Corsets" exhibition illustrates the historical corset as a constant source of inspiration for Vivienne Westwood's collections through her creative life as the designer proceeded to refine her vision of extreme silhouettes.

From the designer's Gold Label Spring-Summer 2012 "War & Peace" collection is the Short-sleeved Court Corset of which the Westwood said In her collection notes, "For some time I wanted to do oversized historical corsets.  I thought I could give them a feeling of armour, worn as a jacket they would look tough - like a soldier or a biker.  The corsets we chose to oversize are from the England of Charles II".  

On the elaborately embroidered Court Corset Dress also from the designer's Gold Label Spring-Summer 2012 "War & Peace" collection, Westwood expressed in the show notes, "By engaging with human genius, I have tried to capture the past in my fashion.  But we can never repeat, we are swept along by the changing times and our own experience.  When we try to imitate we find ourselves doing something new.  I see fashion as a proposal, a way for people to look more wonderful."

The Historical Corset from the Gold Label autumn-winter 2012/13 "London" collection is a one-shoulder corset that illustrates Westwood's subversion of historical cuts to inspire and sculpt the shape of the Gold Label collection. The asymmetry in this piece is an element that is recurrent throughout Vivienne Westwood designs.  In most cases, this is a reference to the movement of drapery against the body within paintings, the idea of "spontaneous gestures, then captured and frozen in cloth." said Alexander Fury.

The Sunday Corset from Westwood 's Spring-Summer 2023 "Born to Rewild" Collection, inspired by the sweetheart curved line of the "Gigi" corset, was from the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood collection.  The Corset forms a base for a fluid draped triangle, which is pinched at the corners, then sweeps and twists across the shoulders, referencing the original '90s Sunday dress.

Two standout pieces for men are corset jackets embroidered with glass beads to represent the male torso. They were part of the first menswear show - MAN - in Milan in 1996 and created in collaboration with Mr Pearl, the renowned corsetier who famously had an 18in waist from wearing corsets. 

The Martyr to Love jacket is made in silk with glass beads.  With this piece, we witness a Surrealism of clothing through a nude body, in flesh.  The art references here adhere to the stylisation of wounds in medieval paintings and inspired the treatment of those marks. According to author Alexander Fury, the jacket itself is worn over a tight corset, recalling a male 19th century tradition of wearing corsets and foundation garments, to help achieve a figure reminiscent of classical Greek sculpture.

The Slave to Love jacket also features glass beads accentuating a masculine physique.  It played with ideas and ideals of masculinity and femininity, said Alexander Fury, corseting the male figure, yet creating an overall look that speaks of heroic masculinity.

Above left, Martyr to Love jacket; right, Slave to Love Jacket.

Above left, Aphrodite Corseted Dress; and right, New Bellini Dress, both from Spring/Summer 2023 Collection

The Aphrodite Corseted Dress is draped in silk chocolate brown satin chiffon, accompanied with gold-crystal net, a contemporary interpretation of the original silver crystal Cocotte bridal dress of the 1998 Spring Summer collection.  The skirt is created from just one seamless panel of crystal net to create a flattering line,  showcasing Westwood’s zero-waste cutting method.

Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o had worn a custom made Vivienne Westwood couture corset dress at the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere in Lagos, Nigeria, last November.

The "Vivienne Westwood Corsets" exhibition demonstrates the important links of the corset to historical dress and culture, and it continues to serve as a valuable source of inspiration for Vivienne Westwood collections today.

V

The Vivienne Westwood Corsets exhibition is open until 21 May 2023 in the house’s flagship boutique at 44 Conduit Street, London.

In celebration of the Vivienne Westwood Corsets exhibition, a limited-edition jewellery collection has been created.  Featuring a three-dimensional charm of the original Westwood Portrait corset, which first appeared in the Vivienne Westwood Harris Tweed Autumn-Winter 1987/ 88 collection, it is accented with engraved branding for a bold appearance.

All photos by Lucia Carpio.

Craft: Artefact - the contemporary craft fair at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, London

 

Coinciding with London Craft Week, the contemporary craft fair -  Artefact - is held at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour - from May 9 to 13, 2023.

On show is a collective of galleries taking up residence in the Design Avenue. 

With interior design placing ever greater value on craft, Artefact is a must-visit for international design professionals sourcing unique objects for prestigious residential and commercial projects, as well as curators and collectors seeking highly individual pieces for museums, public institutions and private collections.

Hanging on the wall is Resilience by Lucas Ferreira, represented by Jaggedart.
A visitor is admiring the gallery's 21st Anniversary Book.
Jaggedart invited some of the gallery artists to create a special artwork to accompany the publication, which is inserted within the book, thus creating a unique objets. There are only 100 of these objets.

On show are impressive works from contemporary craft and visual arts galleries including Cavaliero Finn, Cube Gallery, Jaggedart, Katie Jones Gallery, Louisa Warfield Art, Madeinbritaly, Mixed Metals, Print Club Gallery, Studio Lux, and The New Craftsmen. 

MADEINBRITALY art gallery showcases contemporary applied arts and collectable design,

Whether you're interested in award-winning makers whose work can be found in museums and institutions around the world or want to discover the next big thing, there will be exciting objects to discover. 

'The Big Bucket of Suppressed Desire' vessel, hand-built stoneware with glazes
by Marice Cumber 2023, 42 x 29 x 29 cm 
Represented by Louisa Warfield Art

The "Ammonite Shadow" series of woven, pleated and stitched textiles by Dr Hannah White.  
The forms spiral and curve, creating contemporary textural shapes inspired by Ammonite fossils.

For full details of the galleries, programmes and talk events, click HERE.

Photos by Lucia Carpio.

London's Decorative Fair - from May 9 to 14 May 2023

Celebrating the arrival of Spring is London's Decorative Fair in Battersea Park, taking place from May 8 - 14, 2023.

Billed as the UK’s "most beautiful antiques, design and art fair, and the interiors event of the season", the event is set to feature 130 stands, with an added focus on garden antiques this season, the fair  welcomes British and international savvy style-hunters and leading professional design and trade buyers on the hunt for unusual and one-off items of furniture and decoration for interiors and exteriors. 

With pieces for sale dating from the 17th century to the 1970s, a myriad tastes are tempted: from extraordinary to understated, opulent to folksy, formal to fun.  Paintings, prints, posters and sculpture are also on offer, from classic to contemporary.  

The Fair Foyer Feature will focus on early English furniture, textiles and objects both of, and inspired by, the period of Charles I and Charles II in the 17th century, displayed with later items in an informal country room setting.  The display will include still life paintings of all periods from the 1600s to the contemporary.  Expect simple English wood tables, coffers and chairs mixed with comfortable later seating and accessories in a timeless space.  Look out also for sustainable, expertly crafted heirloom designs that have stood the test of time..

New exhibitors at this Fair include:

Anthony James & Son Ltd (London): Member of BADA & LAPADA. 18th & 19th century furniture, objects and decorative items.

Cal Smith Gallery (London): Cal Smith is a dealer of Modernist and Brutalist artworks with a particular focus on relief wall sculptures. He is a trained restorer and conservation framing expert.  Cal will be presenting his large collection of exceptional works by the late Ron Hitchins (1926 - 2019).

Disquarded (Kent): Adam Green focuses on original antiques for the home and garden and unusual decorative items from the UK & France.

Florence Evans Fine Art (London): Art dealer and art historian specialising in 20th Century British pictures, sculpture and ceramics, with a focus on female artists.

Holtby & Co (Dorset): Young dealer specialising in unusual country house furniture, antiques and objects from 16th - 20th century.

Loveday Antiques (Hertfordshire): For over 50 years Loveday Antiques has specialised 18th - 20th century furniture, objects and works of art. Members of BADA & LAPADA.

For the garden, one can discover unusual decorative objects, sculpture, planters and furniture with dealers such as Muse The Sculpture Company who specialise in contemporary bronzes and large-scale works to commission for outdoor spaces, Wakelin & Linfield who favour elegant ironwork decoration such as étagères, benches and urns, Inglis-Hall Antiques where folk art weathervanes can often be found, The Home Bothy and Vagabond for stone and marble statuary pieces, D.J. Green Antiques for all manner of planters and garden pottery, Garden Artefacts with antique and vintage garden ephemera and Violet Grey for decorative urns, garden ceramics and garden furniture.

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair has a relaxed and laid-back ambiance, where professional designers and trade buyers rub shoulders with private clients and international collectors of all ages. 

For further information, click HERE.

Impactful Murals from Original Style add stylish settings to bathrooms

Whether one opts for a look that points to a tropical scene or one that conjures up a calm English countryside, Original Style create living tiled murals as practical alternative to wallpaper that add unique atmospheric style to bathrooms.

Here below, Original Style brings a tropical touch with Tropical Oasis, a bold rainforest-style mural busting with detail, colour and impact. 

This design is inspired by warm climes and exotic landscapes stretching out into the horizon, offering an immersive experience in bathrooms.

Designer Becca Keenan says, "It’s all about maximalism. People are incorporating bright colours and bold prints to create show-stopping schemes. We loved designing this statement tile mural and think it fits the maximalism trend perfectly when paired with a bold checkerboard floor.  Opt for luxurious accessories like plush velvet, rich colourways and metallic accents."

Another option is to go for a tranquil countryside scene like the English Garden Mural below.

This features delicate wildflowers, lush greenery and sumptuous rolling hills. Inspired by the abundance of summer blooms found in English gardens, the English Country Mural will instill a feeling of serenity within the home.

"Quintessentially English – This mural is sure to transport you to a beautiful summer’s day in the countryside. We opted for a beautiful bath with gold accents and fixtures and fittings to match.  For a glamorous look, pair with marbles and metallics, style with luxurious accessories in complimenting pastel tones," said Becca Keenan, Designer.

Original Style's Living Murals Collection has been designed on large-format tiles, for extra impact and detail. These large-format tiles measure 99x32cm with a gentle matt finish.

Original Style’s  team hand-painted these detailed designs and replicated the drawings digitally to create one-of-a-kind tile murals. Their skilled artisans then work the designs into their state-of-the-art digital printers. Each mural is then printed in small batches to ensure the utmost quality and excellence.

Original Style have been producing premium wall and floor tiles in Exeter, Devon, UK since 1986 using a combination of quality raw materials and traditional techniques alongside new technology. 

For more inspiration and ideas, Original Style welcome visitors to their nine showrooms set up around the country where one can browse their displays, stand-out colour walls and plan projects with their expert teams.

Rory Hutton Goes Royal: A Trio of Coronation Scarves to commemorate King Charles III Coronation

A trio of silk scarf designed by renowned accessories designer and illustrator Rory Hutton celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and Her Majesty The Queen.   

They have been designed and produced specifically for three esteemed institutions, namely Westminster Abbey, Highgrove and The National Portrait Gallery.

If one's searching for a gift or seeking a stylish addition to one's own collection, these scarfs (all 90x90cm) would be great options to commemorate the special occasion.

Designed exclusively for Westminster Abbey where the coronation will take place on May 6th, Rory has designed this classic silk scarf shown below to commemorate the first coronation to take place at the Abbey in 70 years.  Rory took inspiration from the oak leaves and birds represented on the coronation chair, the Abbey’s medieval tiles and the heraldic animals and plants which symbolise the four nations that make up the United Kingdom.

British designer Rory Hutton holds up a silk scarf he had designed exclusively for
Westminster Abbey to mark the coronation of King Charles III

Created from Rory’s signature linocut illustrations, this intricate medieval inspired design of the Abbey scarf looks resplendent in a vintage style colour palette of red, white and blue. The borders are emblazoned with the names of the King and Queen as well as the coronation date.

Separately Rory has designed another silk scarf exclusively for Highgrove, the family residence of King Charles III and his Queen. It lies southwest of Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England.

Rory Hutton's silk scarf designed exclusively for Highgrove

Rory drew inspiration from the gardens at Highgrove, including motifs such as delphiniums, ferns, and elegantly clipped topiaries. These emblematic Highgrove features are intertwined with HM The King and HM The Queen's insignias, and dates of the Coronation, along with a border of oak leaves and acorns, evoke a sense of grandeur and festivity.

Set against a rich, patriotic colour palette, this 90x90cm silk scarf is complete with rolled-edges comes presented in a printed card envelope, making it an excellent gift option for a loved one or a stylish addition to your own collection.

And finally the third silk scarf to commemorate the Coronation by Rory Hutton is this silk scarf below in a black and neutral colourway designed exclusively for the National Portrait Gallery by Rory Hutton.

This Rory Hutton silk scarf for the National Portrait Gallery Collection features a central emblem marking
King Charles III, with the dates of the Coronation.

Inspired by British monarchs, the design features a 'family tree' consisting of British monarchs throughout history all of whom are featured sitters in the National Portrait Gallery Collection. 

Rory Hutton is an award winning artist, print maker and historian. His work draws inspiration from architecture, theatre and dance, and he has collaborated with numerous arts and heritage institutions.

Also designed by Rory for the National Portrait Gallery Collection for the Coronation is a silk pocket square that measures 35x35cm.

Cambridge-based Rory Hutton is recipient of multiple accolades, having designed numerous silk scarves - often featuring vivid lino cuts and striking block designs - for UK arts and heritage institutions, including The Royal Collection and Victoria & Albert Museum and those mentioned above. His creative inspirations include architecture, theatre, opera, and dance. 

In the January 2023 issue of The English Home, Rory Hutton was awarded a New Year Honours in the category of 'Rising Stars'.  He is also a Scottish Edge winner; Ion Magazine Breakthrough Awards winner; runner-up in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and nominated for the ACE (Association of Cultural Enterprises) Awards.