Outstanding design shows - ‘PAD & MASTERPIECE’

Every year we attend the greatest and most inspiring interior design shows; among the shows we attend those based in London are PAD London and the Masterpiece London Art Fair. The importance of attending these really fantastic trade shows cannot be emphasised enough. PAD London and the Masterpiece London Art Fair showcase top furniture, fabrics, lighting, artwork, interior accessories and every kind of outstanding interior object from designers all around the globe. The quality of the work that is exhibited is absolutely the very best of the best.   Explore WOOLF projects inspired by PAD

At Woolf we take our inspiration from so many of the suppliers that we see at these particular shows. During the exhibitions we can look in detail at the execution and manufacturing of all the works and it is also a chance to discuss the origin of the designs and consider how the works sit within a space. The shows are a chance for us to talk to the owners of the galleries and artisans which gives us a greater understanding of the pieces so we can marry them up to the needs of our clients and we can design and develop creative and inspirational interiors. 

PAD LONDON, Mayfair  

PAD London is a spin-off of it is longer established Parisian sister, PAD Paris.  The PAD London Art + Design Fair brings together exceptional works of modern art, design, decorative arts, photography, jewellery and tribal art. Sixty-nine prominent international galleries come together for the occasion, making it a fantastic place to discover museum quality pieces. Set in the vibrant heart of Mayfair, PAD is London’s leading fair for 20th Century Design and decorative arts. Inspiring a unique spirit of collecting, PAD epitomises how historical Design, modern and contemporary design, modern art, decorative and tribal arts interact to reveal astonishing combinations and create the most individual and staggering interiors.  Explore WOOLF projects inspired by PAD

Prominent international galleries from major cities across Europe, North America and Asia come together to offer an exceptional panorama of the most coveted and iconic works available on the market today. We are always so totally thrilled to see the exhibits of designers such as Dumonteil, Pinto or Gallery Dutko, The Dinmore Gallery always have exceptional pieces and our own David Gill and Rose Uniake. 

PAD London is a place to discover and acquire pieces of museum quality with a distinct history.  PAD Paris and PAD London cultivate eclecticism, authenticity and connoisseurship with passion and flair.  Their boutique setting is designed to inspire collectors, art consultants, museum experts, interiors specialists, design practitioners and the public alike, making PAD the only event of its kind.  Explore WOOLF projects inspired by PAD

MASTERPIECE LONDON ART FAIR , CHELSEA LONDON

The Masterpiece London Art Fair is,  in our opinion,  one of the most distinguished  fairs today and perhaps the most  visually  seductive. Worldwide,  Masterpiece London is known as a meeting place for collectors, dealers and creatives of primarily art works and antiques.  

The Masterpiece London Art Fair has earned it’s reputation through  an imaginative  willingness to combine the best in contemporary art and design with masterpieces from the past regardless of their genre.  Every year, Masterpiece London includes fine art from all over the world, contemporary and antique furniture and stunning jewellery from 160 international exhibitors. The  magic of this fair is founded upon the method of curating a highly  unusual selection of  art and artefacts. This approach  blends the most cutting edge in concept, style and design with juxtapositions of antique beauty.     Explore WOOLF projects inspired by Masterpiece

The art fair’s unique approach to curating exhibitors and carefully placing each dealer next to another means the entire experience is an aesthetic adventure. One encounters timeless antiques, modern masterpieces and of course contemporary  blue-chip works all in the same space. The galleries  showcase various mediums and genres allowing a multiplicity and beauty.  Awards are given every year for outstanding  display, outstanding exhibits and masterpiece highlight awards  reserved  for  the most  exceptional objects and artworks. 

A  few of last year’s  standout pieces, shows, projects, and collections include amazing  contemporary art. The key project was a  special installation entitled  ‘Five Stages of Maya Dance’ by renown contemporary artist  Marina Abramović;  in addition to  work by contemporary artists  Ibrahim El Salahi, Chiharu Shiota, and Rob & Nick Carter. Other highlights include contemporary  jewellery by Cindy Chao, amazing antique Chippendale furniture,  Hitomi Hosono’s collaboration with Wedgwood, antique Islamic Art such  as  an extraordinary 17th century Safavid bowl from Iran,  and a beautiful landscape by British  Surrealist Edward Burra. 

Certain areas of  essential  collecting are always represented at the fair  and last year there were various  modernist works by  artists like  Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet,  Joan Miró and Marc Chagall.  A  bronze sculpture by Surrealist master Max Ernst  also  graced the fair and German Expressionist  art by  significant  painters  Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and August Macke were also on view.  Explore WOOLF projects inspired by Masterpiece

The Masterpiece London Art Fair also dedicates a special portion of the fair to the best in historic British art and design including classic work by J.M.W. Turner, L.S. Lowry, and John Constable.  Last year also saw pieces by modern and  post-war British artists,  such as  Eileen Agar, Duncan Grant, Barbara Hepworth, Bridget Riley and Graham Sutherland. 

We were  particularly  delighted by the juxtaposition of  European Old Master sculpture alongside a  contemporary sculpture by Johan Creten; the  display of Alexander Calder’s unique  Red Bull  with American Modernist works by Marsden Hartley, Edward Hopper, and Arshile Gorky was just astounding. Explore WOOLF projects inspired by Masterpiece

Of course, among our favourites was the display of beautiful 18th Century Thomas Chippendale furniture, in beautiful Georgian, English Rococo and Neo-classical style all in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Chippendale’s birth. World-class collections of 18th Century Chippendale Furniture were exhibited by Apter Fredericks and Ronald Phillips. Indian and Islamic masterpieces were exhibited by Amir Mohtashemi. 

OPULENCE AND DIVERSITY FROM LONDON AND SOMERSET at The Masterpiece London Art Fair 

The Fair calls their approach “cross collecting” and presents conceptually driven installations, such as presentation from Les Enluminures and Daniel Crouch entitled ‘A Brief History of Time: From Matins to Mars’. This  intriguing booth displayed  maps, instruments, illuminated manuscripts and medieval and Renaissance jewellery. 

We also enjoyed the Somerset Art-House brand ‘Hauser & Wirth’ showcase of ‘Wunderkammer’ (cabinet of curiosities) which combined modern art by artists like Louise Bourgeois and Philip Guston in parallel with fine 18th and 19th Century furniture.  Explore WOOLF projects inspired by Masterpiece

Another of our favourite stands is from Nicholas Wells Antiques which covers an enormous breadth of collecting possibilities.   

While many collectors may specialise in certain areas be it Asian art,  historic genre and landscape painting or antique furniture the Masterpiece London Art Fair opens one’s eyes to the possibility of diversifying one’s collection and aesthetic in so many ways.  A wide range of price points allows both the novice collector and the more experienced or established collector to purchase exceptional work.   Explore WOOLF projects inspired by Masterpiece

Let us take you to the opening night private view of the latest show……..