Gallery: Now 4 Then
In celebration of our sixtieth anniversary year, we are proud to have opened a new gallery space in the lower ground floor of our Covent Garden store. The debut exhibition in the new and larger space is a show curated by Max Radford Gallery. The exhibition showcases new work by ten UK based emerging furniture and lighting designers and is open until Saturday 15 June 2024.
When we first approached Max Radford, we asked him to curate a show in response to a quote from our founder, Zeev Aram. The quote, "I decided that I will try my best to bring to the public designs which are contemporary and correct for the time," shaped Radford's approach to selecting designs that are both modern and fitting for today's standards.
Zeev Aram was highly respected for advocating designs that captured the spirit of the times. With this in mind, Radford invited ten designers, each bringing a unique and creative approach to integrating sustainable concepts into their designs without sacrificing aesthetics. In response to Zeev’s words, Max Radford said:
"In the same way that Zeev was showcasing international contemporary design to the attention of the UK public, the new gallery space endeavours to re-platform UK-based designers to the global public. Zeev’s notion of appropriateness and truth of design is related to the exact time we inhabit, which is never truer now. In an uncertain economic time on the edge of an Anthropocene Epoch – what feels suitable for this moment in time is sustainably aware boundary-pushing design."
Within the pieces on display are Amelia Stevens' sleek stainless-steel tables. Amelia's design journey began with the study of architecture, during which she developed a profound interest in design at the intersection of architecture, interiors and furniture.
For Now 4 Then, Amelia has continued to develop her conscientious use of high-quality materials. Her collection includes a durable side table made from 316 stainless steel and toughened glass, alongside two pieces that expand her material usage to include sapele hardwood with a white finish and lacquered edges. This collection pays homage to the 20th-century designs of Eileen Gray, a designer and architect closely linked to our history.
Designed for longevity, each of Amelia's new pieces features thoughtfully constructed, fully replaceable parts. These pieces can be dismantled, reconstructed, and transported in their deconstructed state to enhance delivery efficiency.
Andu Masebo is a product designer from London with a background in carpentry, metalwork and ceramics. On display in Now 4 Then are his Section Stools, a collection of powder coated steel stools that are assembled from a range of circular, square and oval tubular sections. Each of the tubes are cut along their lengths and arranged around a set diameter before being capped and finished in different powder coated colours.
Additionally suspended from the ceiling is his Kinetic Incense Mobile, a kinetic ceiling mounted steel sculpture that suspends a vessel for burning incense in space. The movement of the piece allows for a clever dispersion of incense throughout the space.
Nestled in the corner of the gallery are three lighting designs titled ‘Boro’ by Charlie Humble Thomas, a London-based industrial designer, whose work focuses on objects with a playful approach to manufacturing. The pieces are cast in iron in the West Midlands, using electricity instead of coal to offer a lower-carbon alternative to a traditionally unchanged craft.
Each component is designed to be replaceable, allowing the lights to be easily disassembled without tools. This simplified construction promotes repair over replacement in the future. The design echoes the desire for an era when "things were made to last." These lights are unapologetically heavy-duty, prioritising longevity.
Eddie Olin's Expedition table beautifully showcases the dynamic interplay between natural and man-made materials. Olin, a furniture designer and metal fabrication specialist based in London, carefully selected limestone and stainless steel for this piece, both renowned for their enduring qualities and timeless appeal.
The limestone, formed over millions of years, contains the fossilised remnants of an ancient riverbed, adding a layer of history and intrigue to the table. Meanwhile, the stainless steel, though cast recently, boasts near-permanent properties, with a finish that will resist tarnishing or aging if properly maintained.
The Infinite Yes System, conceived by Elliot 'EJR' Barnes, is designed to offer a multitude of options through its adaptable and dismountable structure. Barnes, an artist and designer based in east London, operates at the intersection of decorative art and industrial design.
The units showcased in Now 4 Then are crafted from steel components, which are cut and folded from chemically polished stock in a single factory to streamline the production process and logistics. The stand's form is engineered to provide support without the need for fixings, utilising minimal material. The Y-shaped interior of the stand provides a delicate display space for small objects, gently reflecting their presence. Additionally, the glass shelves can be interchanged with stone or wood counterparts to suit individual preference.
Onda, created by Isabel Alonso, is a chair meticulously crafted entirely from untreated stainless steel, drawing inspiration from the fluidity of waves evident in its gracefully curved form. Alonso, a Spanish designer and PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art, is known for her work marked by narrative depth, material integrity, and a keen sense of composition.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Onda can be assembled and disassembled without the need for tools, transitioning effortlessly into a flat-pack configuration. This thoughtful design facilitates easy transportation and repair, aligning with principles of environmental responsibility.
Jaclyn Pappalardo is a multidisciplinary creative, working in the realms of set design and furniture design. Her Sunday Bed stands out with its innovative construction: sectional segments that seamlessly interlock using a straightforward clip-on system. Comprising five distinct components, the bed facilitates effortless transport and assembly, offering users a hassle-free installation process devoid of screws.
Crafted from cutting-edge, high-performance sustainable materials, including a newly developed foam known for its durability, 100% recyclable wadding, FSC certified timber, and cotton wool blend fabric from the Isle of Bute, Pappalardo's design embodies a commitment to environmental responsibility and longevity.
11prt, designed by John Henshaw, is a versatile modular system crafted from robust mild steel. Based in London, Henshaw initially moved to the city to pursue studies in fine art. Following graduation, his focus shifted towards a more object-oriented design practice, predominantly centred around metalwork.
11prt is meticulously crafted with repairability and replicability at its core. Its modular nature facilitates the exploration of various configurations and adjustments, empowering users to tailor the piece to their specific needs and preferences.
Freddy Tuppen, an architectural designer based in London, brings an experimental ethos to his creations, honed through years of studio practice. His portfolio spans residential and commercial projects, complemented by annual collections of furniture and lighting.
In his latest collection, Knots, Tuppen delves into the realms of material re-use and mis-use. Drawing inspiration from weaving as an early architectural technique, the lamps in Knots intricately interlace rectilinear grid structures of sapele wood and aluminium with everyday cotton twine. This approach imbues the string with a newfound form, emerging organically from the weaving process itself.
The resulting interplay of light refracting through its surface evokes the warm glow of a hearth, infusing the space with a sense of vitality and comfort.
Made from offcuts formed together to create an assemblage and almost a new timber surface, Lewis Kemmenoe's Modest Patchwork chair embraces a humble silhouette, allowing the material itself to take centre stage. The chair's contours are delicately carved and sculpted, echoing the organic nature of the materials from which it is crafted.
To view the designs in person, come and visit Now 4 Then, which is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00 at 110 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5SG until Saturday 15 June 2024.