PAD London, the prestigious design fair, is set to return to the capital between 10th – 16th October after two years of online-only activity. In its 14th edition, the week-long fair will once again celebrate craftsmanship and innovation, delighting art and design lovers with a world-class selection of works spanning contemporary and 20th century design and decorative arts.
Faithful to the distinctive flair and originality that forged PAD’s reputation over the years, this highly anticipated edition will premiere outstanding works by emerging and iconic talents, while also shedding light on rare, age-old techniques, new sustainable crafts and innovative materials that inform design today. Many of the visionary exhibitors who have contributed to PAD’s prestige are returning, joined by prominent international galleries and jewellery houses which will make their debuts at the fair.
Founder and CEO of PAD fairs, Patrick Perrin, said: “It is a joy to be back in London. This new edition of PAD captures all the elements that constitute the fair’s DNA: a curated gathering of the world’s most visionary gallerists and creators, driven by a common goal to champion exceptional work, new talent, innovation and craftsmanship; a desire to inspire the most spectacular interiors by sparking a conversation between past and present and most of all, a commitment to break down barriers between the disciplines of art, design and jewellery in order to foster creativity.”
Championing Contemporary Design
A forerunner in the world of Contemporary Design, New York dealer Cristina Grajales will celebrate her 16-year collaboration with French designer Christophe Côme with a booth entirely dedicated to the artist’s oeuvre in glass and enamel. She will be joined by other leading forces of the collectible design market, including Nina Yashar, the pioneering founder of Italian design hub Nilufar and Gabrielle Ammann whose Cologne gallery has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries between fine art, design and architecture. For his first participation at PAD London, French gallerist Philippe Gravier will unveil a series of lights especially commissioned from Bernar Venet, one of France’s greatest living artists. British design will also be in the spotlight: Carpenters Workshop Gallery will uncover a new monumental chandelier by Paul Cocksedge, one of the UK’s most inventive designers; FUMI will feature a roll-call of British talents, including Allan Collins, Bob Lorimer and Rowan Mersh; and Galerie kreo will present Signal R Monochromatic lamps by the industrial design studio Barber Osgerby.
Young Talents
Providing a platform for young talents, PAD will foreground new works by emerging artists from around the world, including Chilean designer Abel Cárcamo (88 Gallery) who creates whimsical functional sculptures in the shape of animals, such as the Llama chair; Chinese innovative material designer Jie Wu (FUMI) whose artworks and furniture are made by casting antique rosewood in resin of varying colours; and the Barcelona-based duo Amarist Studio (Priveekollektie), formed by Arán Lozano and Clara Campo and whose Aqua Fossil collection is carved from alabaster to resemble “fossilised water”.
Sustainable Design
Many designers and artists in the fair focus on innovative sustainable techniques and responsibly sourced materials. These include two Mexican designers who are committed to preserving their country’s legacy of artisanal craftsmanship: industrial designer Fernando Laposse (Sarah Myerscough) who works with indigenous communities to create striking pieces of marquetry made from the colourful leaves of Mexican maize and Juan José Nemer and Mauricio Alvarez from the design duo ad hoc (Ammann) who create objects and furniture made in collaboration with local artisans, using high-quality materials such as ixtle (a natural fibre from agave).
An intimate relationship to the land and its resources also shapes the approaches of many designers in this year’s selection, as demonstrated by the work of two American woodcarving artists: New-Jersey based Casey McCafferty (FUMI) who crafts bold furnishings and objects out of locally sourced ebonized ash, walnut and stone; and Julian Watts (Sarah Myerscough) who uses wood from fallen or salvaged trees in his native Oregon, as well as rocks, leaves and moss found around his studio.
Craftsmanship
Years after years, PAD has introduced maestros and young artisans who cultivate rare, century-old techniques, invent new crafts and experiment with unconventional materials. This year, ceramics and glass artists occupy a prime position: Dutch artist Hella Jongerius (Galerie kreo) will present monumental porcelain vases realised with her signature folding technique; Swedish ceramicist Alvina Jakobsson (Modernity) will unveil a striking earthenware sculpture; and the London-based young Italian-Taiwanese design-duo, Vezzini and Chen (Adrian Sassoon) will impress with a new wall-mounted glass installation. Textile art will also be on view, with works by Finnish designer Kustaa Saksi (FUMI) and French artist Simone Pheulpin (Maison Parisienne).
In addition, the fair is to highlight French heritage and craftsmanship with one-of-a-kind pieces by designer Hervé Van der Straeten, whose coveted one-offs can be found in the Palais de l’Elysée; first-time exhibitor Jallu, master craftsmen creating furniture with extraordinary surfaces, such as straw marquetry and gypsum and Pouenat, a century-old business whose masterful iron craft features in the most prestigious places, from the gates of the Château de Versailles to Hôtel Concorde in Paris. Preserving the French savoir faire is also the mission of nomad gallery Maison Parisienne which will introduce young talents, such as Julien Vermeulen, one of France’s last “plumassiers” who creates sculptures and wall pieces from feathers.
For more information about the themes in this year’s fair, visit www.padesignart.com
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