LONDON.- As the international collecting community descends on London in October,
PAD London prepares to celebrate 10 vibrant years in its landmark location of Berkeley Square. Rooted in the tradition of French Decorative Arts and the aesthetic of a Cabinet of Curiosities, PAD launched in 2007 to become the first London fair to bring art and design under one roof. The last decade saw PAD actively promoting cross-collecting and bolstering Mayfair’s transformation into a leading destination for both art and design.
66 international galleries are participating in this year’s edition, with 14 newcomers and 52 returning exhibitors. Investec joins as first-time Banking Sponsor to PAD’s VIP Programme, alongside the fair’s Champagne Sponsor Ruinart and PAD Prize supporter Moët Hennessy.
PAD’s panorama of art and design continues to be an enticing treasure trove of works spanning thousands of years of history, from artefacts dating back to the 1st Millennium BC to the latest discoveries in contemporary design.
Contemporary design sees the arrival of Sarah Myerscough, showcasing an extraordinary set of eye-catching sculptural pieces by designers Joseph Walsh and Christopher Duffy, specially commissioned for the fair. New bronze cast furniture by American artist-designer Michele Oka Doner will be the focus of a solo exhibit at David Gill, whilst Maria Wettergren introduces bold sculpted works by Danish designer Rasmus Fenhann.
Notable this year is the presence of renowned design duos unveiling their latest creations. Design partnership Glithero reveal their signature elemental style through a series of new bronze tables, whilst British design duo James Plumb present lighting pieces customarily made from antique and salvaged materials, both at Fumi Gallery. Creating a dramatic centrepiece for Carpenters Workshop Gallery, Studio Drift unveil a new edition of Flylight, a site-specific installation that interacts with its surroundings. Under the label Design MVW, Chinese designer Xu Ming and French architect Virginie Moriette showcase their new bronze furniture designs at Galerie BSL.
Renewed energy in the post-war design category comes with the arrival of
Galerie Le Beau from Brussels, dedicating their inaugural exhibit to Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm, and French specialist Alexandre Guillemain presenting exceptional pieces by Japanese American modernist George Nakashima. Oscar Graf and Blairman both place a focus on British Arts & Crafts with iconic works by Christopher Dresser, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and copper designs by William Arthur Benson Smith. Modern Brazilian design continues to shine with the participation of James, showing pieces by Joaquim Tenreiro and Jorge Zalszupin, and Nilufar presenting inventive chairs by José Zanine.
Moving onto Modern Art, Opera Gallery is making its debut at PAD with a focus on Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger, alongside pop artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
Richard Green, also new to the fair, places an important masterpiece by Marc Chagall in the spotlight, whilst Aktis Gallery concentrates on the sculptural work of Cuban artist Agustín Cárdenas. Repetto reinforces the representation of post-war Italian art, with exceptional works by Giorgio Morandi and Fausto Melotti.
The flourishing offering of tribal art at PAD London is on the rise. Prestigious galleries, Galerie Monbrison and Lucas Ratton present artworks from Ivory Coast and the Congo, including a Tshokwe chair and an elaborately decorated Senufo pot, whilst new exhibitor Peter Petrou introduces tribal art as part of a more extensive ‘cabinet of curiosities’ display. Another highlight is an elaborate ceremonial Metate from Costa Rica presented by returning Pre-Columbian specialist Mermoz.
Photography remains a vital part of the fair’s treasure trail, with exceptional works, both vintage and contemporary, carefully selected by London’s leading gallerists Tim Jefferies and Michael Hoppen. Flip Schulke’s iconic underwater shot of Muhammad Ali taken for Life Magazine in 1961 is a highlight of Hoppen’s finely curated stand, alongside Hampstead from 1945 by Bill Brandt, one of the artist’s earliest dramatic nude studies. Photography legends Annie Liebowitz and Erwin Olaf, amongst others, feature at Hamiltons, whilst Gabrielle Ammann complements the photography offering with works by Hélène Binet capturing the splendour of Zaha Hadid’s inimitable architecture.
Ceramics and glass maintain a strong presence at the fair. New French exhibitor
Clara Scremini focuses on American glass works by Michael Glancy, set in dialogue with dense futuristic sculptures by Eastern European artists Pavel Trnka and Gyorgy Gaspar. On show at Adrian Sassoon are stunning glass works by British artist Colin Reid and Tobias Møhl from Denmark.
An impressive stable of notable jewellery experts, converging from London, New York, Zurich, Paris and Munich, enrich the fair’s panorama. New exhibitor Hemmerle brings one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by nature, minimalism and geometry, whilst Suzanne Syz makes her debut at the fair with her own new creations staged amongst pieces by Swiss artist John Armleder. Siegelson, reputed for his grand jewellery displays, presents a set of extraordinary vintage pieces including a silver and black lacquer bracelet by Jean Després from 1931.
This year, the PAD London Restaurant and Ruinart bar will be designed by celebrated interior designer Veere Grenney, who will introduce his refined signature touch, mixing past and present, classic and modern to deliver an elegant dining experience.
The Moët Hennessy-PAD London Prize is returning with a revived panel of luminaries from the worlds of design, art and fashion, chaired by Jasper Conran. Over twenty judges will preview the fair and select the winners in the following categories: Best Contemporary Design, Best 20th Century Decorative Art and Best Stand.
