Would you pass up the opportunity to own a mini masterpiece by a contemporary creative genius? Nor would we. Such is the proposition of the latest exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum.
‘Inspired by Soane: I Found This and Thought of You’ will gather and exhibit postcard-sized artworks from some of the most famous names around; from Zaha Hadid to Ross Lovegrove, Paul Smith, Antony Gormley, Manolo Blanik, Christopher Bailey, and even broadcaster Jon Snow. Most notable perhaps though, is the work of the late American architect Michael Graves, who completed his drawing before his death earlier this year.
The famous artists, architects, designers and cartoonists were all inspired by 100 objects from the museum’s collection - including some pieces that aren’t normally on public display - as well as the iconic building itself. The resulting miniature works of art are now on display at what is widely considered one of London’s best-known secret treasures, and will be raffled off on 26 June.
To enter the raffle, museum-goers can pledge a donation (£350 minimum) for specific works. Each donation (up to the value of £50,000) will be matched by the Leon Levy Foundation. Funds raised will go towards making the museum’s extensive drawing collection more widely accessible to the public by making them digitally available.
The exhibition and raffle coincide with the opening of the private apartments of the museum, following a £7m investment and big conservation and restoration project by London architect Caruso St John and Julian Harrap.
The mini masterpieces will be raffled off at the end of the exhibition. Pictured here: architect Simon Hurst's collage
The contemporary creatives involved in the project range from artist Maggi Hambling, right, to cartoonist Louis Hellman, left
The late American architect Michael Graves completed his drawing before his death earlier this year
Burberry's Christopher Bailey and artist Christopher Oldfield's paintings
To enter the raffle, museum-goers can pledge a donation (£350 minimum) for specific works. Pictured here, the work of designer Ross Lovegrove
Each donation (up to the value of £50,000) will be matched by the Leon Levy Foundation. Pictured here, architect Will Alsop's postcard
Artists Elmgreen & Dragset's mini masterpiece, alongside that of broadcaster Jon Snow
All funds raised will go towards making the museum’s drawing collection more widely accessible to the public by making them digitally available. Pictured here: architect Ken Shuttleworth's drawing
The exhibition and raffle coincides with the opening of the private apartments of the famous museum. Pictured here, artist Roberto Ekholm's picture
The miniature works of art, including this work by designer Michael Wolfson, are now on display at what is widely considered one of London’s best-known secret treasures
Some of the creatives involved were inspired by the museum's extensive collection of objects, like Paul Smith here. Others looked to the building itself to influence their pictures
Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik also created a postcard-sized sketch for the raffle
ADDRESS
Sir John Soane’s Museum
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields,
London
WC2A 3BP
-
Why champagne pairs beautifully with fine foodMaison Krug unites champagne with decadent cuisine in the latest edition of its ‘Single Ingredient’ adventure, in collaboration with globally renowned Michelin-starred chefs who enhance the flavours and aromas of Krug Grande Cuvée or Krug Rosé
-
Australian surf culture merges with the charm of the Mediterranean at Il DelfinoIl Delfino, designed by Sheree Commerford, is a restored 1940s seaside inn nestled on the Yamba coastline in Australia
-
Meet Scotland's best new building: The Burrell Collection wins Doolan 2024The Doolan 2024 award crowns The Burrell Collection in Glasgow as Scotland's finest building this year, celebrating its comprehensive recent refurbishment
-
Meet Kenia Almaraz Murillo, the artist rethinking weavingKenia Almaraz Murillo draws on the new and the traditional in her exhibition 'Andean Cosmovision' at London's Waddington Custot
-
Inside Jack Whitten’s contribution to American contemporary artAs Jack Whitten exhibition ‘Speedchaser’ opens at Hauser & Wirth, London, and before a major retrospective at MoMA opens next year, we explore the American artist's impact
-
Doc'n Roll Film Festival makes its loud return to the UKThe 11th edition of the Doc'n Roll Film Festival celebrates music, culture and cinema from around the world
-
Preview the Jameel Prize exhibition, coming to London's V&A, with a focus on moving image and digital mediaThe winner of the V&A and Art Jameel’s seventh international award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition will be showcased alongside shortlisted artists
-
Genesis Belanger is seduced by the real and the fake in LondonSculptor Genesis Belanger’s solo show, ‘In the Right Conditions We Are Indistinguishable’, is open at Pace, London
-
Francis Bacon at the National Portrait Gallery is an emotional tour de force‘Francis Bacon: Human Presence’ at the National Portrait Gallery in London puts the spotlight on Bacon's portraiture
-
Frieze Sculpture takes over Regent’s ParkTwenty-two international artists turn the English gardens into a dream-like landscape and remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world
-
Meet Oluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, the founders creating a new art communityOluwole Omofemi and Bayo Akande, are behind Piece Unique, an artist agency that guides and future-proofs emerging artists’ careers
