TM Lighting illuminates Collect VIP Lounge Showcasing British Design and Making By Cox London Curated Rachel Chudley
The 16th edition of Collect 2020, the International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design, took place at its new location this year at Somerset House, 26th February – 1st March.
The 2020 VIP lounge was furnished by Cox London and curated by award-winning interior designer Rachel Chudley. Cox London are designers and makers of sculptural lighting, furniture and artworks. Their thriving London atelier champions the highest quality British craftsmanship and artistry.
Cox London designed and produced a brand-new body of work especially for Collect 2020. The pieces respond to, and contrast with, the classical proportions of the rooms at Somerset House. Organic and free-form pieces will disrupt its handsome symmetry and have been influenced by Rachel Chudley’s focus on how the building has evolved since its inception in 1547 and its maritime past. Highlights include a 2m wide ’Magnolia Chandelier’ forged in iron and showcasing new lamp-making techniques and contemporary pieces of sculptural furniture juxtaposed with traditional upholstery. Rachel’s concept for the space also features a custom colour palette of rich shades on the walls by New York’s colour consultant and paint artisan Donald Kaufman.
“At Cox London, we are foremost artists and makers and as such, we have an absolute affinity with Collect. From the handmade, soul-nourishing work it shows and promotes, to the extraordinary artisans it celebrates. To partner with Collect feels for us like the most natural alliance.” Chris Cox Co-Founder and Creative Director of Cox London.
TM Lighting, Lighting Partner of the Collect VIP Lounge
TM Lighting collaborated with designers Cox London, and Rachel Chudley, to illuminate the hand-crafted pieces and designs within the space at Somerset House, carefully drawing focus and attention to individual pieces, tones and fabrics within the Lounge, using their high colour rendition LED GalleryOneFifty spotlights.
Chris Cox comments: “We are so grateful to TM Lighting for working their magic, bringing all important light to our pieces in the Collect VIP room. TM are an absolute joy to work with.”
In addition to the VIP Lounge, TM Lighting is pleased to have provided specialist art lighting for contemporary artist Daniel Reynolds‘ large scale kinetic sculpture ‘Madrigal’, presented by Cavaliero Finn gallery. TM Lighting worked closely with the artist to understand the visual intent, carefully focussing the G150 spotlights to ensure the shadows were clean, and the rich colours of the red glass were vibrant.
About COLLECT 2020
The Crafts Council founded Collect in 2004 with the aim to build the profile and sales for collectable craft and to promote the very best galleries and artists in the field. It continues to be the only gallery-presented art fair dedicated to modern craft and design.
For 2020, Collect moved to a striking new home at Somerset House taking over a large number of beautiful rooms, presenting a new environment for Collect exhibitors to contextualise and curate modern craft.
Through the years Collect has been instrumental to defining and growing the market for contemporary craft. Collect celebrates over 400 artists presented by galleries coming from across the globe to this London stage. Half of the exhibitors come from outside the UK, with an impressive spread of European galleries as well an increased range of galleries from Asia.
“The appetite for contemporary craft continues to increase as seen by the number of new galleries emerging. The Fair’s new London home, Somerset House is an exciting development in the life of Collect allowing exhibitors to contextualise and curate modern craft and design against a backdrop of 18th century architecture, high ceilings and picture windows looking out onto the Thames”. Isobel Dennis, Collect Fair Director
www.collect2020.org.uk #collect2020
Photography (main room installation, top image) by Iona Wolff