PAD London Art + Design opened for VIPs on Wednesday, with the usually high standard of fine art, furniture, and design. The plush venue, a luxury tent in Berkeley Square that incorporates the beautiful trees in the park as part of the stands, seeks to inspire visitors to collect with the eclectic range of luxury items on sale.
PAD also awards the Möet Hennessy / PAD London prize each year. This fair’s judging panel included Jasper Conran, Zaha Hadid, and The Serpentine Gallery’s Julia Peyton-Jones.
From ancient artifacts to newly commissioned design, there is something here for everyone.
1. Galerie Von Vertes
Galerie Von Vertes were showing an array of artworks including a small painting and sculpture, Untitled (1963), by Yayoi Kusama, and an untitled mixed media Willem de Kooning, dated 1972.
The Zurich based gallery has been dealing in Fauvism, German Expressionism and École de Paris, and Pop art for thirty years.
2. Rose Uniacke
This stand was one of the award winners of the fair, having chosen to showcase 20th Century Scandinavian designers, with the focus on Swedish designer Axel Einar Hjorth.
The stand was painted a deep blue which perfectly enhanced the color of the furniture, highlighted with tasteful lighting.
3. Mayoral Galeria d’Art
The Spanish gallery are showing a variety of artworks including drawings, collages, and small-scale sculpture by Salvador Dalí. There are 15 artworks by Dalí at the stand, alongside works by Alexander Calder and Joan Miró.
4. Galerie Kreo
Galerie Kreo work with leading designers to create unique pieces, and the “Karbon” lounge chair (2008) by Konstantin Grcic won this year’s contemporary design award. Other works on the stand include offerings by designers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Pierre Charpin, and Hella Jongerius.
5. Galerie du Passage Pierre Passebon
Pierre Passebon also received an award, winning “best stand” alongside Rose Uniacke. Passebon prides himself on arranging unusual combinations of furniture and art from different eras. The winning stand included Paavo Tynell and design legend Frances Elkins.
6. Galleria Tega
Tega are showing an array of European artists including Alberto Burri, Lucio Fontana, Michelangelo Pistoletto, and some drawings by Pablo Picasso. There is also a Keith Haring vase which is well worth a look.
7. Michael Hoppen Gallery
Michael Hoppen is showing a selection of photographs. Ranging from works by Henri Cartier-Bresson to Richard Avedon and Tim Walker, the images vary from street photography to classic fashion imagery.
8. Daniel Blau
Daniel Blau are showing “Trophy NASA” and George Grosz drawings. “Trophy NASA” comprises a selection of images taken during the Apollo 11 moon landing. The lunar photographs are both atmospheric and enlightening.
9. Robilant & Voena
Joining in with the celebration of Modern Italian art happening at the moment, Robilant & Voena are showing some stunning examples of work by Burri, Fontana, and Paolo Scheggi.
10. Oscar Graf
This gallery of decorative arts and design is showing the wonderful art glasswork by William Arthur Smith Benson, the dimly lit stand celebrates the wonderful craftsmanship of this master of Arts and Crafts design.
PAD Art + Design London runs until October 18.