When stumbling upon an antiques shop, it is always fun to have a rummage to explore what treasure you may find. Such unexpected encounters with overlooked craftsmanship are recalled in this exhibition of thrones – each at one time discarded or unwanted, and now given fresh perspective by curator Simon Andrews in ‘This Island Sunrise’ at Sadie Coles HQ in London, coinciding with London Design Festival 2023.
Time to take a seat (or two) at Sadie Coles HQ
Installation view, ‘This Island Sunrise’, curated by Simon Andrews, Sadie Coles HQ, London
Three thrones stand tall as the focus of the exhibition, among other objects and artefacts. Though separated by centuries in their creation, each throne shares a similarity in being constructed out of modest or discarded materials to establish something beautiful, demonstrating its artist’s capabilities.
English or Welsh Turner’s Throne, c. 1640 turned ash and fruitwood, oak boards unique 56 x 32 x 29 inches (142 x 80 x 73.5 cm)
Surprisingly, two of the thrones are inspired by the design and complexity of the skeletal system. The first, Turner’s Throne (c.1640), is an insight into the origins of how a throne was, and still is, viewed in history, as a symbol of power and authority. The unnamed creator would have used Britain’s forest to source ash, oak and walnut to hand-build this uniquely crafted throne.
Tom Dixon’s Skeleton Throne (1985). Installation view, ‘This Island Sunrise’, curated by Simon Andrews, Sadie Coles HQ, London
Centuries later, and through a more modern perspective, Tom Dixon’s Skeleton Throne (1985) tells a socio-political story. Dixon’s design is almost satirical in its use of discarded iron, a material on which Britain once built her empire, to create the pirate-eque skeleton that went down with the ship. As we face the aftermath of industrialisation and its dire impact on climate, the sentiment resonates.
Eduardo Paolozzi, Sculptor’s Chair, 1985-1987, salvaged and repurposed materials including pine, beech, rope, linen, nylon cord, metal hooks and nails, together with a hammer
The final throne of the collection is one from Eduardo Paolozzi, who came across abandoned crates and other materials outside Zeev Aram’s Covent Garden showroom. Sculptor’s Chair (1985-1987) is for, in Paolozzi’s words: ‘the sculptor, after a lifetime of improvising, reaching for his tools’. The shallow box, hammer marks, knots and nails are additional details that nod to the creative mind and process of a sculptor.
Each throne offers a unique interpretation of British history and culture, brought together by design and identity.
'This Island Sunrise' at Sadie Coles HQ is on view until 24 September 2023
-
Audemars Piguet and Kaws have created the Royal Oak Concept watch we didn't know we neededThe Audemars Piguet x Kaws Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' is the slick wrist-worn art
-
A friendly rivalry coloured by kinship: Wendy Maruyama and Tom Loeser on their two-artist show'I wanted to make furniture, just not traditional furniture, but weird furniture,' says Wendy Maruyama on ‘Colorama’, a two-artist show presented at design gallery Superhouse (until 11 January 2025)
-
Tranquil and secluded, Lemaire’s new Tokyo flagship exudes a sense of homeIn Tokyo’s Ebisu neighbourhood, Lemaire’s tranquil new store sees the French brand take over a former 1960s home. Co-artistic directors Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran tell Wallpaper* more
-
One to Watch: Family Project’s ‘furniture friends’ are elegant and humorous with lasting emotional valueFamily Project, founded by Francesco Paini, is a London-based design practice drawn to human connection, creating portraiture through furniture and injecting artful expressions into interior spaces
-
Martino Gamper creates a joyful tapestry of colour, pattern and eras in an immersive showcase'I'm always interested in what is considered kitsch, what is considered contemporary, what is ugly, what is beautiful—it's a subtle line'. Martino Gamper‘ presents 'Before; After & Beyond’
-
Pierre Jeanneret’s Chandigarh furniture meets South Asian diasporic art in an unusual London exhibitionRajan Bijlani opens a show combining Pierre Jeanneret furniture for the Indian city of Chandigarh with works for sale by six artists of South Asian origin – in his own London townhouse
-
Mud celebrates turning 30 with a new Islington storeTo celebrate its 30th anniversary Mud opens a new Islington store, showcasing its Australian ceramics where beautiful design meets utility
-
PAD London’s 16th edition is a blisteringly optimistic case for human achievementAt PAD London, collectible design is more than rarefied furniture; it is a compelling case for the uplifting power of craftsmanship at the dawn of the AI revolution
-
Lucienne Day’s lesser-known silk textiles are a splendour of geometry and colour at Margaret HowellMargaret Howell presents British designer Lucienne Day’s 'Silk Mosaics' in a solo exhibition, alongside the launch of the brand's 2025 calendar in homage to Day
-
The Home of Sustainable Things is a trove of circular design for domestic lifeThe Home of Sustainable Things (HOST), is a homeware shop in London, focused on circular design to encourage mindful living and more conscious consumption
-
‘At its best, it's all an act of love’: Apparatus’ Gabriel Hendifar on building a cult design brandFor our interview series with those lighting up London Design Festival 2024, Apparatus’ co-founder Gabriel Hendifar reflects on the New York brand's future, and its first year in London
