Arts & Collections: Volume 1, 2021

arts &

COLLECTIONS www.artsandcollections.com

WINE • ART • INVESTMENT • LUXURY PROPERTY • COLLECTABLES • PHOTOGRAPHY AC00 Cover.indd 1

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Contents

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FEATURES

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THE BEAUTY OF OBJECTS

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WINSTON CHURCHILL: HAPPY ARE THE PAINTERS

Photographer Albert Watson has been capturing images of celebrities, landscapes and still life for 50 years – now he tells all in a fascinating book, Creating Photographs

A new record has been set at a Christie’s auction for a Winston Churchill painting. But what inspired the great man and what did his art mean to him?

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PRIVATE MOMENTS: BEHIND THE SCENES AT SOTHEBY’S In the coronavirus pandemic, private sales have become an important part of the great auction houses’ business.

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THE SUPREME COMPLICATION

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THE MOVING PICTURE

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WEATHERING THE STORM

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SWINGING INTO STYLE

Invented by Breguet, the tourbillon is a complex timekeeping mechanism designed to solve a specific problem.

The difficulties of lockdown have brought new challenges to art logistics companies. We find out how one has responded.

Following his pioneering work to create on a Harrison clock replica, Matthew King has now recreated a unique 18th century barometer

The game of golf hasn’t always been style-led, but that’s changing with the experiential approach of cutting-edge companies like PXG.

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20 images © albert watson/laurence king books/breguet/san marzano/wikimedia commons/artes mundi/carrie may weems/essential home/collins/maddox gallery

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42 36 EMPIRE OF THE ARTS

Jay Rutland has turned Maddox Gallery into a leading international force in contemporary arts.

40 Sparkling sales

There are signs that jewellery sales are picking up post-Covid,

with a recent sale at Fellows of Birmingham realising over £1m.

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THE ART OF LUXURY LIVING

From the elegant to the decadent, opulent furnishing and luxurious decoration is right on trend.

50 MEDIATE, DON’T LITIGATE

Art disputes over ownership, provenance or accidents can be expensive and distressing, but there is a way to avoid the angst.

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52 PUGLIA: A REGION OF DIVERSE TASTES

What is it about the Italian region of Puglia that helps it to produce such a wide range of wines – including the outstanding vintages of San Marzano?

56 THE ANGELS’ SHARE

Whisky investment needn’t be on a large scale – even individual bottles can be a wise buy if you know what to look for - or is the cask a better bet for your tastes?

66 INHABITING THE VIRTUAL WORLD

How do exhibitions like Artes Mundi cope with the problems caused by the coronavirus lockdown? We find out from festival director Nigel Prince.

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Contents FEATURES

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68 REGULARS 9

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INSPIRATION IN THE CITY

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TURNING CLASSICS GREEN

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PASSING THE STRESS TEST

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THE SUN STILLS SHINES

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Painter Sara Sherwood gave up a career in the City of London to become a full-time artist - but the city still influences her oil-oncanvas work.

Can you run a classic car and still save the planet? One way is with an electric engine retrofit. Specialists like Everrati will steer you in the right direction.

Modern life can impose stress on us all – why are we so unsuited for modern life, what techniques can we use to ease the pressure, and how can professionals help?

Despite the ups and downs of the property market, Andalucía remains one of the most exciting regions for foreign buyers. But what is the attraction of this Mediterranean gem?

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IT FIGURES

This issue’s most exciting events and objects summed up in handy facts and figures

EDITORIAL

What are NFTs, and what could they mean to the world of art? If you’re baffled by Bitcoin, this could be another financial revolution to befuddle you

HAPPENINGS

All the events, exhibitions and shows worth seeing – even if many of them are virtual – from Bridget Riley in Woking to Wallace Chan in Venice and Albrecht Dürer in Aachen

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Our eclectic roundup of the most amazing items to come up for auction this season, from a Delahaye automobile to a unicorn, and a wartime watch to a Martian masterpiece

BOOK REVIEWS

Books on subjects as diverse as artists who died young to the history of sneakers, the work of film-maker and painter David Lynch and a comprehensive catalogue of Picasso paintings

WHERE TO SPEND IT

Our roundup of must-have luxury items, from a pretty poison bottle to a collectable whiskey, and luxurious hi-fi to an amazing Japanese hypercar

IMAGES © EVERRATI/SARA SHERWOOD/OUROBOROS/PHAIDON/FELLOWS

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It Figures...

DamsonMedia Publisher & CEO Kevin J. Harrington Editor Chris Jenkins Design Friyan Mehta Features Writers Richard Clark Patricia Savage Harry Vincent

Arts & Collections’ dedicated website, artsandcollections.com, features all of the exclusive previews, reviews and expert commentary pieces that appear in the pages of Arts & Collections as well as news of auctions by Sotheby’s and other top auction houses, plus exhibitions and popular cultural events, keeping visitors fully informed, as well as providing a comprehensive resource area for collectors and connoisseurs.

Production Director Joanna Harrington Production Coordinator Sam Bradford Office Coordinator Adam Linard-Stevens Digital Manager Amy Golding Editorial OFFICE Arts & Collections 143 Caledonian Road London N1 0SL United Kingdom Telephone: 020 7870 9090 editorial@damsonmedia.com www.damsonmedia.com

images: © albertwatson/laurence king publishing/dreamstime/breguet/aspark/wikimedia commons

Arts & Collections partners with over 120 of the world’s finest luxury and boutique hotels to provide the highest quality coverage of global art and cultural events, auctions of interest and developments in the global art market.

This blend of interesting and informative editorial is most appealing to guests at these premier hotels, who have a great interest in fine art and collectables.

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The number of works of art that brought in a total of half a billion dollars in private sales for Sotheby’s in 2019.

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Allegedly the age of Patsy Stone, who said “One should never be the oldest thing in one’s house”.

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The number of casks of Single malt Scotch Whisky filled specially for Arts & Collections readers by The Borders Distillery.

248.55 Maximum speed in MPH of the Aspark Owl, the Japanese hypercar claimed to have the world’s fastest acceleration

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Arts & Collections magazine is published quarterly. For further details regarding contributions and distribution email editorial@damsonmedia.com.

CHICAGO OFFICE Arts & Collections 29 East Madison, Suite 809, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

8.285

Millions of pounds spent on one of Winston Churchill’s most striking paintings when it came up for auction at Christie’s.

The opinions expressed in this magazine should not be considered official opinions of The Publisher or Editor. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising matter. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. IMAGES are sent at the owners’ risk and the Publisher takes no responsibility for loss.

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© 2021 Damson Media All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without prior written permission from the Publisher is strictly prohibited.

Printed in the UK.

Cover image: Albert Watson, Andy Warhol, New York City,1985 from Creating Photographs, courtesy of Albert Watson/Laurence King

The year Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon watch movement.

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Publishing - see page 16

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Editorial

Beeple (Mike Winkelmann) and his record-breaking artwork, Everydays: The First 5,000 Days

New Kids on the Blockchain

T

Images: © beeple-crap.com

he art collecting world is getting excited about NFTs - NonFungible Tokens. If you’re baffled by Bitcoin, prepare to be even more bemused.

‘Fungible’ means ‘interchangeable’. Cash is fungible – a certain amount of cash can be exchanged for a comparable amount of cash of a different currency, for instance. Something ‘non-fungible’, then, doesn’t have an interchangeable equivalent. So, for instance, one painting is not necessarily the equivalent of another – they are not interchangeable.

So, a Non-Fungible Token can represent a unique asset. The token is a bit of digital code protected by the complex cryptographic technique known as blockchain (we’re imagining people turning the page at this point), which makes it effectively impossible to duplicate, alter or fake.

So what does this have to do with art? Well, if a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) can be used to represent a unique piece of art, then you can buy and sell art simply by trading in ownership of NFTs.

Beeple But who would be crazy enough to do this? Well, Christie’s for a start - the first major auction house to offer a standalone NFT, representing a work

by Instagram artist Beeple. Everydays: The First 5000 Days (2021) is a

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vast, digital, pixellated work comprising 5,000 individual images created every day since 1st May 2007.

Beeple (real name Mike Winkelmann) has a real-world following, having worked with celebrities including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Childish Gambino, Skrillex and deadmau5, and his art has sold for real money; a collection of 20 works sold for $3.5m in December 2020.

So what did Christie’s expect from its first NFT standalone sale?

Probably not that from a start of $100, bids would skyrocket to $69,346,250 (£50m) in the closing hours. There have been precedents - one group burned a genuine Banksy original, before putting its digital token up for sale for $380,000 (£274,000) - but this sale at once puts NFTs firmly on the scene and establishes Beeple as one of the world’s most valuable living artists. Buyer Metakovan, the pseudonym of an NFT collector, will receive only an encrypted file and registration as owner on the blockchain. He says he may ‘fractionalize’ the token and offer it for sale again. “We made history and we created a god” in Beeple, he said.

So will the day come when we own no physical art, only NFTs bought using cryptocurrencies, protected by blockchain, stored in virtual vaults and displayed on monitor screens? Let’s hope not – if only for the sake of the picture-hangers.  Chris Jenkins

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collections // events

Happenings

Arts & Collections has selected a mix of the most unmissable artistic, cultural and entertainment events coming our way in 2021 – lockdowns permitting

SOAP STAR Named after the ’80s soap opera she watched as a child in Moscow, Diana Markosian’s powerful Santa Barbara reimagines her mother’s journey to the US as a ‘mail-order bride’ searching for a new life with her children. Casting actors to perform as her family and shooting a photo series on old film stock, Markosian even commissioned a scriptwriter from the original soap opera. The dialogue never made the film, but is included in a monograph published by Aperture.

The exhibition runs at SFMOMA, San Francisco, to 27th June.  www.sfmoma.org Left: Diana Markosian, The Arrival, 2019, from Santa Barbara (Aperture, 2020) © Diana Markosian

Below: Bridget Riley, Natajara, 1993, Photo © Tate/Bridget Riley, 2020.

POP GOES THE EASEL At Lightbox in Woking until May 16th, Bridget Riley: Pleasures of Sight celebrates the pop artist’s 90th birthday, delving into the historical roots of her art and her working methods, through a selection of exemplary striped, curved, colour and black-and-white works.

Examples will be drawn from each decade from the 1960s to the present day with oils, prints and preparatory colour studies forming a medium scale retrospective which will explore the artist’s enduring exploration of colour, structure and perception.  www.thelightbox.org.uk

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Events // collections

TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS Albrecht Dürer criss-crossed Europe in the late 15th and early 16th centuries gathering ideas and techniques, making contacts among artists and clients, and steadily spreading his own fame. Durer’s Journeys: Travels of a Renaissance Artist at the National Gallery will be the first exhibition to track the importance of Dürer’s excursions to places like Italy and the Low Countries. “His constant, questing intellectual curiosity opened up fruitful exchanges with artists in the north and south of Europe” says the National Gallery’s deputy director Susan Foister. Many of the works will be on display in the UK for the first time. One highlight will be Christ Among the Doctors (1506) from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. A larger version of the show is due to run at the SuermondtLudwig-Museum, Aachen, from July to October.  www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Left: Albrecht Durer, Christ Among the Doctors, courtesy ThyssenBornemisza Museum

CLASH OF THE TITANS Best known for his elaborate ceramic jewellery, Chinese artist Wallace Chan has his first major sculpture exhibition at Fondaco Marcello in Venice, Italy, from 14th May-31st October 2021. TITANS: A Dialogue Between Materials, Space and Time, curated by James Putnam, will feature a series of large-scale titanium and iron sculptures and an immersive installation composed of titanium and mirrored stainless steel, giving an unprecedented survey of Chan’s work as a sculptor.

Together, this new body of work conveys Chan’s contemplation on the relationship between materials, space and time through titanium: a futuristic, space-age material that has long been the subject of his experimental impulses.  www.wallace-chan.com

Below: Tadao Ando’s design for François Penault’s Bourse de Commerce gallery

Right: Wallace Chan, A Dialogue between Materials and Time I, 2020. Courtesy of the artist.

LUXURY ASSORTMENT Japanese architect Tadao Ando was chosen by François Pinault, billionaire founder of luxury group Kering, to design the conversion of the Bourse de Commerce building into a museum to house his art collection.

Ando’s achievements have been recognized by the Pritzker Prize, RIBA, Academy of Architecture and American Institute of Architects, and he has collaborated with François Pinault on several projects since 2000. Pinault says: “Thanks to the installation of a new site for presenting my collection at the Bourse de Commerce, in the very heart of Paris, a new step has been taken in the implementation of my cultural project: sharing my passion for art of my time with the greatest number.” The exact opening date this summer is to be confirmed.  www.boursedecommerce.fr

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collections // news

Auction

HIGHLIGHTS By richard benson

We bring you the most valuable, controversial, amazing and stunning items from the world’s leading auction houses

FLYING BOAT This gorgeous 1936 Delahaye 134N Cabriolet Labourdette was sold by Osenat in Versailles in December 2020 for €150,000. One of 340 cars by coachbuilder Labourdette, inspired by the shape of canoes, only two of the cabriolet version are known to survive. This aerodynamic beauty can achieve 115 km/h with its four-cylinder engine. It was found in a barn in 1976 and restored to its original cream colour, then completely rebuilt in 2009, with blue finish and a new leather interior at a cost of €70,000. 

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news // collections

WATCH AT WAR A magnificent Cartier Tonneau watch which belonged to a First World War Captain who fought on the Western Front has sold for £15,312 (including fees) at Fellows Auctioneers.

This has broken the house record at Fellows for the highest price ever achieved for a Cartier watch. The remarkable 107-year-old timepiece, named Tonneau due to its barrel shape, still works and contains scuffs likely to have been picked up from the war.

Sporting a beautiful 18ct yellow gold case, the Tonneau Curvex Cartier watch has a manual wind movement. It features a silvered dial with Roman numeral hour markers.

The watch is fitted to an unsigned brown leather strap with an 18ct yellow gold deployant clasp. Included with the lot were medals belonging to the Captain, an authentication document from Cartier and a later watch box. The Cartier Tonneau, launched in 1906, was the second ever wristwatch model designed by Louis Cartier. 

IMAGES: © osenat auctions/fellows/dreweatts

HORN OF PLENTY

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Dreweatts sold the spectacular contents of Aynhoe Park in February, realising more than double estimates for a total of over £4m.

The 17th Century Grade 1 Palladian country house in Oxfordshire, the home of James and Sophie Perkins, was home to an eccentric collection of artworks, books, sculpture, furniture, taxidermy, modern design and curiosities.

Highlights included a flying giraffe sculpture, an oak and parcel gilt scale model of the clock tower at the palace of Westminster, and a six-million-year-old skull of a Triceratops which sold for £306,250. Most noted though was the famous Unicorn sculpture of 2015 by James Perkins, which achieved £28,000 on an estimate of £8,000 

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collections // news

RED PLANET When NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars, no-one would have expected it to encounter anything as exotic as Frank Frazetta’s painting for the paperback Princess of Mars

by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Painted in 1970, this is actually a version Frazetta made for himself after delivering the original to publisher Doubleday. The painting is rendered in oil on stretched canvas with an image area of 15.5” x 19.75”, and open front framed to 22.5” x 26.75”. It sold for $1.2m at Heritage Auctions at the end of last year. 

QUEEN’S GAMBIT TV drama series Queen’s Gambit has ignited a taste for chess which might spark interest in this gorgeous late 19th/early 20th century Austro-Hungarian silver, silver gilt and enamel chess set, coming up for sale in the Antiques, Books, Stamps, Clocks & Antique Furniture auction on March 26th at Ewbank’s in Surrey (www.ewbankauctions.co.uk). Standing on a 37cm square base, the board is set with pearls and turquoise and applied shells, the sides with enamel shields and pierced silvergilt stands to hold each piece. Corners are decorated with scrolling mounts set with turquoise, all sitting on a stepped beechwood base with brass bun feet. The pieces are made in silver and silver gilt, with light blue and dark blue enamel.

“If you really want to make your mark as a player, this is the way to do it,” says Ewbank’s partner Andrew Ewbank. “It’s also the most stunning table centrepiece – not something you would easily forget.”

The set realised £8,000 on an estimate of £3,000-5,000. 

HOLY AUCTION, batman!

A rare, high-grade copy of the first issue of the Batman comic from Spring 1940 sold in January for a record-breaking $2.22m. The comic features the debut of the Joker and Catwoman (then called the Cat) in stories by Batman creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger. This copy was graded 9.4/10, the highest grade ever for a Batman #1. Heritage Auctions said “We knew when the book came in that it was beyond special, that it was a once-in-a-lifetime offering – from appearance, its blindingly bright cover to its white pages, to provenance.” In November 2020 Heritage Auctions sold a copy of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance of The Batman, for $1.5m. 

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news // collections

OUR SERIES HIGHLIGHTS A SINGLE ITEM OF ARTISTRY OR CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT IS BOTH RARE AND EXQUISITE

RENAISSANCE MAN The painting Young Man Holding a Roundel by Sandro Botticelli has sold for $92m (£67m) at Sotheby’s in New York, breaking the sale record for the Italian renaissance painter.

Believed to have been painted in the 1470s or 1480s, it is considered one of Botticelli’s finest works. Sotheby’s senior vice president Christopher Apostle described the painting as a “masterpiece” ahead of the auction. He said: “This Botticelli is so much more spectacular in every way than anything we’ve seen coming to the market. This image symbolises and exemplifies the Renaissance in Florence. We haven’t seen anything like it in my lifetime.”

The painting shows a young man with long blonde hair sitting holding a disc, the roundel, which features an image of a bearded saint with his right hand raised. This is believed to be a copy of an original 14th Century artwork attributed to Siennese painter Bartolommeo Bulgarini.

Art scholars were unaware of the painting’s existence until it first appeared on the market in the early 20th Century. 

Treasures

IMAGES: © heritage auctions/ewbank’s/sotheby’s/craft irish whiskey co

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nspired by ‘The Seven Wonders of Ireland’, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. in partnership with Fabergé has revealed the first Fabergé Celtic Egg and Rough Emerald Surprise, at a rumoured price of around $2m.

The Emerald Isle Collection is a seven-piece custom-made whiskey set beautifully presented in a dark walnut experience box. Each set features two bottles of ultra-rare, 30-year-old, triple distilled Irish whiskey, accompanied by two unique and exclusive creations from Fabergé – the first-of-its-kind Celtic Egg objet and bespoke Altruist timepiece. Each egg is handcrafted from 18k yellow gold and features Fabergé’s legendary guilloché enamel in a pastel green; the green, white and gold colours of the egg symbolising the Irish flag.

Each collection also includes a humidor with two ultra-rare Cohiba Siglo VI Grand Reserva cigars, a gold-plated cigar cutter, gold plated water pipette, pure obsidian whiskey stones, a hip flask with a sample of the Emerald Isle whiskey, which is the rarest Irish whiskey in existence, and a carafe filled with Irish spring water from the same region where the whiskey was made.

Launched via a private auction in Houston, Texas on 2nd February 2021, proceeds from the sale will go to charities including the Correa Family Foundation supporting children affected by serious illness. 

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ART // PHOTOGRAPHY

The Beauty of

Objects

Albert Watson has captured some of the most iconic figures of modern life during his 50-year career. Now he tells all in a fascinating book, Creating Photographs

By Chris Jenkins

Left: Albert Watson, Gigi Hadid in Iris van Herpen Dress, New York City, 2019

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PHOTOGRAPHY // ART

F

rom Alfred Hitchcock to Kate Moss, legendary Scottish photographer Albert Watson has captured some of the most iconic figures of modern life during his 50-year career.

Watson has now compiled some of his top tips and most fascinating experiences into a beautifully illustrated book filled with bite-sized lessons on technical advice, inspiration, creativity and how to get your foot in the industry door.

The book, Creating Photographs from Laurence King Publishing, offers guidance as well as fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from some of Watson’s most famous photo shoots with international superstars.

Featuring some of his seminal images including portraits of Andy Warhol, Mike Tyson and Mick Jagger, the book presents an expansive look into Watson’s career showcasing his artistic excellence through his celebrity portraits, fashion and landscape photography and travel diaries.

Over a hugely successful career Albert Watson has produced some of the most famous and genuinely iconic photographs of the modern era. As well as shooting over 100 covers for Vogue he is also responsible for a huge array of celebrity portraits and a series of inimitable fine-art images.

IMAGES © albert watson/laurence king publishing

CIRCUITOUS Born near Edinburgh in 1906 to a hairdresser and a professional boxer, Watson took what he describes in the book as a circuitous route into photography. Moving to London when he got married, he worked at the Ministry of Defence, but on the birth of his first child moved back to Scotland, working in a chocolate factory.

He then spent four years studying at the Dundee College of Art, specialising in graphic design. Inspired by a photography lecturer, he got his own first camera, a Fuji, at the age of 21, and moved back to London and the Royal College of Art. Watson describes in his book how his passion for photography wasn’t always well rewarded, but after a couple of jobs photographing catalogues and store windows he was able to buy his first Hasselblad, a medium format camera unique at the time for its combination of portability and the ability to capture large, high-resolution images.

In 1970 the couple moved to Los Angeles, Watson bought a Ford Mustang, and they

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drove across the country in the summer. He sold images to cosmetics giant Max Factor for ‘a ridiculous amount of money’, and within a year had plenty of work and a good studio - within three years the biggest in LA. Then New York beckoned and Watson moved there to work on Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, and Rolling Stone. He’s still in New York, 40 years later.

After bluffing his way through a model shoot for Max Factor, Watson’s first brush with celebrity was when Harper’s Bazaar asked him to photograph director Alfred Hitchcock in 1973. Glossing over the fact that he hadn’t shot any celebrities before, Watson produced images of Hitchcock dangling a

Albert Watson: “I’ve had a circuitous journey to photography, but I’ve learned a lot along the way.”

plucked goose by the neck: “The Hitchcock portrait is one of the most important shots that I’ve done, because it really changed my career at that point” he says. “With both Max Factor and Hitchcock, even though I didn’t have the specific experience they were looking for, I took a risk and worked very hard to give the client something far beyond what they’d expected.”

Throughout the years Watson has worked with many celebrities, and passes on a few tips on how to deal with them: for instance

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ART // PHOTOGRAPHY

And Watson’s portrait of Andy Warhol in New York in 1985 (this issue’s cover) demonstrates his adage that “When you’re photographing a person, it’s important to really look into the face.”

“The face is full of geography. It’s a landscape of hills and valleys, so looking will help you imagine what to do with the lighting, and also to make suggestions for the makeup and hair. Is the hair going to be up? Down? Can you use a little bit of wind? The hair is part of the geography.”

Above: Albert Watson, Tree in Mist, Fairy Glen, Isle of Skye, Scotland, 2013

in shooting actor Al Pacino,“We found out what his favourite coffee was – espresso with a twist of lemon – and I actually rented an espresso machine and bought a pound of his favourite coffee. So, when he came in in the morning and asked for a cup of coffee, I was able to present him with his favourite kind, with a twist of lemon. That may have been a little extreme, but these kinds of things

really help when you take someone’s picture.

These little details.”

“Getting along with your subjects is important, but showing a real interest in them as people also leads to better photographs” says Watson. In 1981, he shot actor Jack Nicholson sitting in the garden in Aspen, Colorado while it was snowing. “He’s a wonderful guy to shoot, because he’s a little bit magical, he’s charismatic and he just had that little smile” he says. “He was totally happy about the snow.”

Watson says he has an interest in still life, portraiture and fashion, and likes to run these things all together. “I’ve had a circuitous journey to photography, but I’ve learned a lot along the way” he says. “My experiences have had a great influence on how I work now. perhaps most importantly, I’ve always followed my curiosity.”

He’s also a big supporter of film as opposed to digital photography, and likes to do his own printing: “I’ve always printed my own work, and I’m a fanatical supporter of photographers doing the same” he says. “I think it’s important for photographers to see their work all the way through. There are too many variables if you release your negatives to somebody else to print. You should really be controlling everything yourself.”

In 2013, inspired by The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, Watson visited Skye on the northwest coast of Scotland to photograph landscapes. “I was terrified that my landscapes would look a little bit like postcards’ he says. But finding inspiration in the works of Degas, he tried to inject emotion in to the shots. “I was always looking to shoot very simple landscape pieces that I could find beauty in – a field of grass, a peninsula jutting out into the sea. How could I make the picture more emotional, more unusual, more magical, and, for me the most important thing, more memorable?” he asks.

He has also shot still life, from Elvis Presley’s gold lame suits to Star Wars’ Darth Vader helmet; he says that you have to see the beauty and charisma of objects “The most important thing with still life is conceptualization. If you have an object that you find interesting, put together a concept that says something, means something, that has another layer beyond texture.”

IMAGES © albert watson/laurence king publishing

curiosity

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PHOTOGRAPHY // ART

CREATIVE Watson describes the art of photography as 80 percent creative, 20 percent technical, and there’s plenty of advice in the book on subjects from lighting techniques from the cheap to the expensive; film and paper, filters, props and post-processing. “For those photographers who think you can do it in Photoshop later, it’s a different kettle of fish when you’re adding colour later as opposed to on the lights” he says. “There are all kinds of different magic happening when you begin to put colours on lights.”

“I know that some photographers have a very hard time with the technical, and I commiserate with them. It was a real slog for me in the beginning too. To photographers

who don’t enjoy the technical side, I often say that they have an advantage, because all of your concentration goes into the imagery.”

Knowing which lens to pick is part of the journey of learning photography, he says; “It teaches you to be creative, and also flexible when you need to be.”

His inspiration, he says, comes from many sources: “In my apartment in New York, there are four libraries of books” he explains. “I like to surround myself not just with photography books, but with books on modern art, Pop art, Andy Warhol, ancient Japanese art, Vincent van Gogh, Jeff Koons. I can get just as much inspiration from a book about painting as I can from a photography book.” 

Above: Albert Watson, Alfred Hitchcock for Harper’s Bazaar, Los Angeles, 1973 Left: Albert Watson, The God Sign, Route 15, Las Vegas, 2001 Creating Photographs by Albert Watson Cover: Waris Dirie, Ouarzazate, Morocco, 1993 Laurence King Publishing Masters of Photography Series £14.99 www.laurenceking.com

Creating Photographs

Albert Watson

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08/04/2021 17:14

ARTS // PAINTERS

Happy

Are the Painters Works by Winston Churchill have sold for record prices at auction.

But what inspired the great man to paint?

By Chris Jenkins

Above: Winston Churchill’s painting Tower of the Koutoubia Mosque sold for over £8m

Right: Churchill said: “If it weren’t for painting, I couldn’t live. I couldn’t bear the strain of things.”

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08/04/2021 16:39

PAINTERS // ARTS

IMAGES © christie’s

Memento

“

Happy are the painters – for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep company to the end, or almost to the end, of the day.

- Winston Churchill, 1948, Painting as a Pastime.

“

P

aintings by Sir Winston Churchill have sold at Christie’s in London for record prices. One, Tower Of The Koutoubia Mosque, (seen left), owned by Angelina Jolie, sold to an unidentified buyer for £8.285m.

The sale price was almost four times the upper pre-sale estimate and it also beat the previous record price for a Churchill painting, which was just under £1.8m.

The image of the 12th-century mosque in Marrakech at sunset with the Atlas Mountains in the background was the only painting completed by the wartime prime minister during the 1939-45 war. It was finished after the Casablanca Conference of January 1943, where Churchill and US president Franklin Roosevelt planned the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Churchill persuaded Roosevelt to stay after the conference and take the 150-mile drive to Marrakech, saying he could not travel to North Africa without seeing the sun set on the Atlas Mountains.

The two stayed at a villa outside the city and watched the sun go down from its fivestorey tower. According to Nick Orchard, Christie’s head of modern British and Irish art, Roosevelt was mesmerised by the scene. “It is an incredibly poignant moment,” he told the auctioneer’s inhouse publication. “Here are two great leaders sharing the briefest respite from the traumas of war.”

In the Twenties, Churchill began to write about art for The Strand Magazine, singing the praises of bright colours: “I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” He adored Turner, the Impressionists and Matisse, particularly their skill in portraying the effect of light on landscape and water.

In 1938, he addressed the Royal Academy, placing himself halfway between tradition and modernism. “Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd,” he said. “Without innovation, it is a corpse. It is by art man gets nearest to the angels and farthest from the animals. It lights the path and links the thought of one generation with another, and

in the realm of price holds its own in intrinsic value with an ingot of gold.”

The Second World War brought an inevitable decline in Churchill’s production of art. Painting with his friend, the artist Paul Maze, in Normandy in summer 1939, he said: “This is the last picture we shall paint in peace for a very long time.”

Confession After losing the 1945 election, Churchill returned to painting in earnest. He told his wife: “I am confident that, with a few more months of regular practice, I shall be able to paint far better than I have ever painted before.

This new interest is very necessary in my life.”

He confessed to John Rothenstein, director of the Tate Gallery: “If it weren’t for painting, I couldn’t live. I couldn’t bear the strain of things.”

In 1948, he was elected an Honorary Academician Extraordinary at the Royal Academy and exhibited there until 1964. In 1959, his RA show had more visitors than any previous one apart from a Leonardo da Vinci exhibition.

Churchill painted his last picture in 1962 – The Goldfish Pond at Chartwell – when he was 88. Given to his bodyguard Edmund Murray, it sold in 2017 for £357,000. Another picture of the Chartwell goldfish pond, which had belonged to his daughter Mary Soames, went for a record £1.8 million in 2014. 

Churchill remained for another day to paint the view of the mosque framed by the mountains.

He sent the painting to Roosevelt as a birthday present and a memento of the trip. Mr Orchard said: “This is Churchill’s diplomacy at its most personal and intense. It is not an ordinary gift between leaders - this is soft power and it is what the special relationship is all about.”

The painting was sold after the US president died in 1945 and it had several owners before actress Angelina Jolie and her then partner Brad Pitt bought it in 2011. They divorced in 2019 and the painting has now been sold at auction by the Jolie Family Collection.

Two other Churchill works were also sold in March - Scene At Marrakech, painted in 1935, for £1.88m, and his painting of St Paul’s Cathedral in London fetching £880,000.

Churchill began painting at the age of 40, and completed over 500 canvases over the next 48 years. The light of Marrakech was a favourite subject for him and he made six visits to the North African country.

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08/04/2021 16:39

COLLECTIONS // AUCTIONS

PRIVATE MOMENTS

Private sales are generating a lot of business for auction house like Sotheby’s.

But how does this discreet sector of the market operate?

BY CHRIS JENKINS

A

TIMING David Schrader, Worldwide Head of Private Sales, joined Sotheby’s in February 2017 as Head of Private Sales for Contemporary Art, New York after nearly two decades on Wall Street, most recently as a Managing Director at JP Morgan, where he dealt with some of the world’s largest financial institutions.

During that time, he also established himself

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“

“Last year in private sales we sold works by 382 different artists, from the superb 17th-century stilllife painter Clara Peeters to sought-after modern and contemporary artists like Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse.”

David Schrader

“

uction houses like Sotheby’s are perhaps mostly associated with the excitement of live auctions (whether in person on online), but there’s another side to the business which is less well-known.

Private Sales works discreetly and seamlessly with buyers and sellers of world-class works of art throughout the year, independent of the auction calendar.

Whether you are seeking a specific artwork for your growing collection or wish to sell, a global team of sale directors is ready to source, sell, advise and research on your behalf.

Sotheby’s conducts private sales in a range of categories including fine art, jewellery, watches, books, wine, automobiles and more - usually for objects with a value of $100,000 or greater. Unlike auction prices, which are subject to demand, in private sales, prices are fixed, clear and always mutually agreed upon between both parties.

Sotheby’s, of course, can bring decades of expertise and passion to every market, backed by unrivalled knowledge of both art history and the dynamic market, and in recent years has done more than $1b in private sales business – around a fifth of the amount of its auction takings. In 2019, half of that $1b came from just 30 works of art.

as a respected collector of Post-War and Contemporary Art. In his role, Schrader works with Sotheby’s global Contemporary Art team, bringing his perspective and acumen as a sophisticated collector. His market intelligence is particularly deep in regards to contemporary artists including Josef Albers, Mark Grotjahn, Yayoi Kusama, Sol Lewitt, Gerhard Richter, Ed Ruscha, Rudolf Stingel, Andy Warhol and Christopher Wool, among others.

Of the choice to transact privately rather than go to auction, Schrader says: “There are many reasons why people might go in either direction. Timing is often a big factor – they might have an immediate need for liquidity, want to buy something new, or it’s time to send their grand kids to college. Of course some might not want anyone to know they’re selling a piece, for example. Each private sale is a negotiated bespoke deal, and there is more price control. Whereas at auction you start low to come to a higher number, generally in private sales you start high and come to a middle ground.

“But at the end of the day, one of the main reasons collectors rely on private sales is that collecting doesn’t only happen four times a year at auction – it really is a yearround activity. Our clients are interested in purchasing the best objects at the best prices whenever they are available. Private sales is one of the ways that we are able to assist our clients whether they are buying or selling at any time of the year.

“Last year in private sales we sold works by 382 different artists, from the superb 17th-century still-life painter Clara Peeters to sought-after modern and contemporary artists like Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse.”

www.artsandcollections.com

08/04/2021 16:54

Auctions // COLLECTIONS

Above: Parmigianino’s Virgin with Child, St. John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene Left: Untitled VIII Willem De Kooning Signed on the stretcher 70 by 80 in. 177.8 by 203.2 cm.

Executed in 1983.

IMAGES © sotheby’s

Confidential Of course, it’s natural to be curious about these private sales, but as Schrader explains, it’s in their nature that most are confidential.

However, Sotheby’s has brokered a number of sales for institutions, including the sale of a rare 16th-century Parmigianino painting, Virgin With Child, St. John the Baptist, and Mary Magdalene, as well as Bernini’s masterful bust of Pope Paul V, for the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and a magnificent 14th-century Illuminated Hebrew Bible for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Works currently available in Private Sales include Untitled VIII by Willem de Kooning, painted in 1983, in the final decade of his wildly acclaimed, fifty-year career. While still displaying the trace of his distinct formalism, Untitled VIII boasts an enlivened spirit, a new freedom in the endless expanses of ribbon-like brushstrokes and sophisticated exchanges of colour.

Also available is Alexander Calder’s Untitled, 1968, a unique combination of his ‘mobile’ and ‘stabile’ sculpture forms, with a curvaceous three-legged red base and branches of metal that sprout above and dangle thin, white metal discs.

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And of course, In these difficult times, special arrangements often have to made for a private sale – for instance Sotheby’s can ship a work to a warehouse or to an office in the buyer’s location, or they can examine the work virtually, lending an extra layer of privacy to these discreet sales. 

Below: Untitled Alexander Calder Incised by the artist’s monogram on the base Sheet metal, wire and paint 17¼ by 27 by 16 in. 43.8 by 68.6 by 40.6 cm.

Executed circa 1968.

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09/04/2021 13:52

COLLECTIONS // WATCHES

The Supreme Complication What is the tourbillon, and how is it significant in watch design? We look at one of the most ingenious ‘complications’ ever invented

By Chris Jenkins

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08/04/2021 17:09

watches // COLLECTIONS

T

he tourbillon, now over 200 years old, is one of the most exquisite and complex mechanisms ever conceived.

Intended to solve a problem in time-keeping by the application of physics, it became an engineering challenge which still absorbs watchmakers – and fascinates collectors.

It was on June 26th in 1801, or as it was known in post-revolutionary France the “7th Messidor of the year IX”, that the patent for the tourbillon was granted. Abraham-Louis Breguet, who gave his name to a watch company still at the forefront of development of luxury timepieces today, was granted the patent for ten years.

The problem Breguet had laboured to solve was the effect of gravity on watch mechanisms.

Each change to the position of a watch when it is worn (and of course we are talking about pocket watches) can cause a variation to the timing of the mechanism.

There was more than mere professional pride at stake. In a world where maritime navigation could succeed or fail according to the efficiency of timepieces, each improvement in accuracy was commercial gold.

IMAGES © breguet

Escapement Breguet’s idea was to install the entire escapement (meaning the balance and spring, the lever and the escape-wheel, the parts the most sensitive to gravity) inside a mobile carriage that performs a complete rotation each minute. (The word tourbillon means ‘whirlwind’, which gives a slightly misleading idea of the stately progression of the actual mechanism).

His theory was that since all the causes of variation would then be regularly repeated, they would compensate for each other. Bregeut also thought that the tourbillon function would enhance the lubrication of the mechanisms.

Despite the brilliance of its conception, the tourbillon proved extremely difficult to perfect.

The Breguet company holds detailed records and designs from the experiments, which resulted in a commercial product in 1805.

After two experimental models (the watch no. 169 gifted to the son of London-based horologer John Arnold in 1809, and watch no.

282 completed in 1800 and sold much later by Breguet’s son), the first tourbillon (seen above) was presented to the public at the National Exhibition of Industrial Products held in Paris on the Esplanade des Invalides in September and October 1806.

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It was described as “a mechanism by which timepieces maintain the same accuracy, whatever the vertical or inclined position of the watch”, and became an object of fascination to horologists forever more.

Breguet records that early customers included the Italian patron and collector Sommariva, Monsignor Louis Belmas, Bishop of Cambrai, the Bourbons of Spain, and the Prince Regent of England. Reserved for the most distinguished customers, the tourbillon watches were sold in very small numbers – just 35 between 1805 and 1823.

Breguet’s legacy lived on in successive models which added to the complexity of the mechanism, such as the Classique Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel 3797 (seen left). The use of gold in these mechanisms is something that has largely fallen out of fashion but is still maintained by Breguet.

The Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 “Quai de l’Horloge” has two mechanical ‘hearts’ beating independently from each other, each driven by their own barrel. An engraving on the back of this model depicts the house that Abraham-Louis Breguet acquired on the Quai de l’Horloge in Paris.

Balance Also remarkable is the Classique Double Tourbillon 5347, which includes a handwound movement fitted with a pair of tourbillon regulators rotating on the hour axis.

Working independently from one another, two

tourbillons are coupled by means of differential gears and mounted on a rotating centre plate effecting a complete revolution in twelve hours.

The hour is shown by the bridge connecting the tourbillon regulators doubling as a watch hand, and minutes by a standard centre hand.

And the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367 provides a beautifully simple interpretation of the tourbillon, which reigns supreme on a minimalist dial. The Calibre 581 mechanism powering this timepiece comprises a balance oscillating at a frequency of 4 Hz while maintaining a comfortable 80hour power reserve.

Some manufacturers present watches with a semi-skeletonized dial showing a visible balance wheel known as an “Open Heart”, which might be mistaken for a tourbillon by the unwary; but the true mechanism persists only in the highest quality watches, and many manufacturers have taken up the challenge of refining the design - Bulgari for instance releasing the world’s thinnest tourbillon in the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon, with an 11-jewel movement just 1.95mm thick, and others presenting multi-axis tourbillons where the cage rotates on two, three or more axes, such as the Jacob & Co. Astronomia and Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillons.

Representing an investment of perhaps five figures upwards, a tourbillon watch will always attract attention and comment, and hopefully say as much about the wearer as it does about the ingenuity of its inventor. 

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09/04/2021 13:53

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

REVOLUTIONIZING ART CONSUMPTION Since the arrival of the modern international art market and large jet airliners capable of carrying freight long-haul in the 1960s, purchasing art has pretty much looked the same. An antiqued and quite frustrating process in modern standards, where buyers have to purchase art in-store and organize everything to do with its shipping themselves.

But in the age of rapid growing modern technology and a world pandemic, where the demand for art consumption online has surged, the art industry hasn’t kept up. As nonessential businesses are forced to stay closed and people are feeling reluctant to physically attend anything, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the “decline of the high street” will impact art purchasing as we know it. The time for virtual galleries and fast check-outs is here, but the art industry simply isn’t ready.

Enter YSDS. Not only are we non 3-PL global logistics consultants with real assets, offering leading expertise and in all areas of art shipping solutions (amongst others).

We are also true innovators with expert connoisseurship, in the midst of revolutionizing the entire art consumption experience.

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Professional art handlers and technicians

Correct instant shipping quoting

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Improved customer experience Direct shipment booking and tracking

Facilitated insurance obtainment

We are building a tool where the end client is offered an entire shipping package in one place. After selecting a piece to purchase or look more closely at online, the buyer will now be presented with a range of options and information, all in one place. Literally a one stop shop:

12/04/2021 16:02

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

❱ Professional art handlers and technicians, ready to advise and execute on the best means of crating and transport. ❱ Instant shipping quoting. Instead of having to research a suitable logistics vendor and ask them for a quote manually, our solution will offer instant shipping quoting at the point of browsing and purchase – just like in any other online store. ❱ Condition reporting. Instead of having to ask someone for the condition of the artwork, our solution will offer immediate condition reporting. ❱ Insurance obtainment. Instead of having to fill out the right documents and find the appropriate insurances manually, documents and insurances necessary for the artwork in question will be automatically presented. ❱ Shipment booking. Instead of having to book transportation separately from the purchase, clients will be able to simply press a button and our solution will connect the dots. ❱ Shipping monitoring and tracking where the buyer can follow the location and well-being of their art piece from pick-up to delivery. ❱ Art storage options, tailored to the buyer’s desires and needs. This is becoming a highly coveted option as the demand for art investments is increasing, and storage facilities are therefore in high demand.

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Our goal is to offer the end customer a range of streamlined solutions that meets all of their art shipping needs. And we are well on our way, launching our solution for Instant Shipping Quoting in the beginning of 2021. The YSDS revolution is just around the corner, completely changing the experience of art consumption online.

For more information email Charlotte von Knorring, YSDS Art and Fine Art at charlotte.vk@ysds.com or visit www.ysds.com/art

12/04/2021 16:02

COLLECTIONS // Art Logistics

The Moving Picture

The art logistic business continually faces problems and new opportunities – how are companies and clients adapting to the challenges of 2021?

W

hile the physical art world and consumption were restricted in 2020 because of the ongoing pandemic, the online equivalent grew in popularity and size. The consequence was an increased demand for a digitalized art world, with art buyers expecting online art purchasing to be just as seamless as any other online shopping experience.

Prior to the pandemic, both auction houses and art galleries were moving towards an online-first model, using virtual reality to replicate the experience of visiting the real venues.

As 2020 moved along, the need for a faster shift became evident. Galleries and art dealers with websites not adapted to modern e-commerce solutions have had to address the problem and speed up the

slow process of digitalizing themselves. But many still have a long way to go.

YSDS, experienced logistics consultants with in-depth knowledge of the art industry, have been following these developments, and have built a product to be part of the solution. An international logistics company based in 16 cities and nine countries worldwide, YSDS is revolutionising the art logistics industry with this new approach.

IMAGES © YSDS, kerensa pickett/unsplash

By Chris Jenkins

28 Arts & CollectionS www.artsandcollections.com

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09/04/2021 14:11

Art Logistics // COLLECTIONS

GLOBAL QUALITY For companies like YSDS, the main focus when shipping precious artworks is creating tailor-made packaging for each piece as well as secure and successful transports.

Customized and tested packaging solutions are a natural part of the logistics service, in order to be able to handle items in all states and conditions. From fragile and environment sensitive pieces to highvaluable items prone to theft, YSDS treats each artwork with meticulous care and expertise.

The current pandemic has understandably led to further necessary considerations - of health and safety naturally, but also of an overloaded logistics network, due to Brexit amongst other factors.

For art buyers affected by issues around Brexit, YSDS can offer continued shipping to and from the UK through their AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certificate – a globally recognized status enabling goods to be passed through customs as swiftly as possible.

Furthermore, YSDS’s global offering also means that the most efficient routes are always chosen, and that reliable local partners are available in the country of delivery to pre-clear goods through customs, and to make sure door-to-door delivery is fast and safe.

Such storage centres are managed by art experts, providing private storage areas, viewing rooms, work areas and packing facilities, all with full liability coverage and risk management.

SEAMLESS

SOLUTIONS

Whether the client is an individual collector, auction house, gallery, museum, or art fair, each job requires a bespoke solution, one with secure eco-friendly packaging, complete management of documentation and seamless service between continents.

YSDS can also provide a minutely detailed condition report before transportation, detailing any small imperfection with images to ensure that the well-being of the shipment can be tracked every step of the way. Insurance is also organised according to the shipping method to mitigate any risks.

An increasingly important element of international art logistics, whether for the individual buyer or the institution, is the provision of short- and long-term warehouse storage, with the necessary 24-hour surveillance and climate control.

YSDS can provide a ”white glove” service for the professional handling and shipping of high-value fragile goods that require an additional touch.

For leading auction houses and highend global galleries, services include commercial airline or chartered aircraft shipping – ideal for oversized, dangerous and/or time critical cargo – or when shipping to destinations not covered by commercial airlines. In critical cases, an onboard courier can also be provided.

At the other end are art technicians expertly trained for every type of art installation, to handle assessments of environmental conditions, security and criteria, before providing a plan for installation.

All this contributes to a seamless art shipping experience, but doesn’t address

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Above - Bespoke eco-friendly packaging solutions are part of the service for specialists Left - The new world of virtual art galleries presents challenges for the logistics industry

the initial problem of co-ordinating online buying with the logistics process.

Hence, the future for YSDS holds an intriguing development – an API (Application Programming Interface) which will link YSDS’ online logistics services directly to those of clients such as auction houses, galleries and art dealers.

This revolution in the art online purchasing process promises an immensely improved experience, as customers will be provided with everything from instant shipping quotes and full system integrations, to the actual shipping of the artwork and all that comes with it.

An initial testing phase with a handful of top clients is soon to be rolled out, after which multiple other clients will be added to the API. The end goal is to create a ‘one stop shop’ – YSDS hopes in the near future to be able to provide clients with instant quoting, condition reports, insurance options, full packing and crating, shipping and storage options, all in one place.

Perhaps a taste of the future of international art logistics for the online buyer? 

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09/04/2021 14:11

COLLECTIONS // ANTIQUES

Weathering

the storm Following his pioneering work to create the first ever replica of John Harrison’s oldest clock, Matthew King has now recreated a unique 18th century barometer built by Daniel Delander.

By PAT SAVAGE

F

ollowing his pioneering work to create the first ever replica of John Harrison’s oldest clock (made around 1713), antiques specialist Matthew King has now recreated the unique and iconic barometer built by the esteemed 18th century London clockmaker, Daniel Delander.

Time Travellers Clocks is a horology business led by founder Matthew King. With over three decades of experience working on period clock cases and important furniture pieces, Matthew developed an interest in rare horological items and a desire to create many important historical items, such as the 1713 John Harrison clock and the 18th Century Delander barometer.

Time Traveller Clocks combines years of experience from a range of specialists, meticulous creativity and understanding of horology – direct from the original historical structures, from the past and for the future.

Left: “The proportions are perfect, the drama of ebony contrasting with silver is striking” Right: Matthew King of Time Traveller Clocks and his replica Delander barometer

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09/04/2021 12:29

ANTIQUES // COLLECTIONS

Matthew King has over three decades of experience working on period clock cases and important furniture pieces, and a wealth of expert contacts that he works with to complete large projects like the Harrison clock replica and the Delander barometer. The Delander barometer combines science with decorative art - an instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure to help predict weather conditions, in a spectacular and opulent case. The replica that Matthew has created is an authentic representation of the sadly disappeared original, which was the only one of its type to have been made.

Daniel Delander was an English clock and watchmaker in the late 17th and early 18th Century. He was a member of the Clockmakers Company and made a range of horological items, including mantel and longcase clocks.

Apprentice Delander was an apprentice of Thomas Tompion, who is recognised as a “Father of English Clockmaking”, and opened his first shop in Devereux Court, Westminster, before moving to Two Temple Gates and finally to Fleet Street. Delander’s barometers are his rarest work and only a few are in existence, but their current whereabouts are unknown.

Matthew King worked on this commission in his Surrey workshop, and it took several years to fully complete. Committed to following the historic crafts processes familiar

to Delander in the 18th Century, Matthew took all his direction from the two images he had of the original to keep at as true to the original as possible.

“It is important to me that cultural heritage such as this rare barometer is preserved for future generations,” said Matthew King, director of Time Traveller Clocks. “Conserving an object is often a challenge, however replicating a completely lost object is a considerably trickier proposition!”

Calculations The barometer comprises both wooden structures adorned with ebony veneers and silver inlay, and mounts. All the mounts needed to be designed and modelled before moulds could be made to then allow the mounts to be cast, so Matthew’s calculations needed to be precise for this. The two Corinthian column capitals are built from three separate castings to create the open and delicate details of scrolls and acanthus leaves.

The replica was created for a client who had seen the original barometer in a magazine and been previously impressed by Matthew’s achievements.

“The craftsmanship of this barometer is so wonderful,” said the Time Traveller Clocks client. “The proportions are perfect, the drama of ebony contrasting with silver is striking, and the appearance is so like one of Delander’s pieces. Matthew’s devotion to finalise this complex restoration is extremely impressive.

“The piece is in pride of place on the wall, and I love to check the level every morning to predict the upcoming weather. Historical accuracy, attention to detail and excellent communication are hallmarks of any Time Traveller Clocks project.”

IMAGES © Brian Pearce photography

Tradition

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“I’m extremely pleased with the finished barometer and delighted to hear about the pleasure it is giving the new owner,” said Matthew. “Despite my decades of working with clocks and furniture pieces, the learning never stops! Passing on skills and knowledge is something I seek to do in my work.

Creating this barometer replica is my way of restoring those traditional methods for future clockmakers.”

He is currently working on an additional barometer replica which is available to order.

For more information or to get in touch with Matthew, visit www.timetravellerclocks.com 

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09/04/2021 12:29

COLLECTIONS // STYLE

Swinging into Style

Golf hasn’t had the most stylish reputation, but now experiential brands are shaking up the image of the game

By Patricia Savage

32 Arts & CollectionS www.artsandcollections.com

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09/04/2021 10:57

STYLE // COLLECTIONS

T

he historic image of golf, from knickerbockers to tweeds, hasn’t always been at the cutting edge of style. From the origins of the game in windswept, rainy Scotland in the 1760s, the emphasis was always on protection from the elements rather than looking good.

But of course all that changed when the game became more international, and by the 1920s, there was an established style featuring perhaps a single-breasted jacket and waistcoat, cotton stockings, and bespoke golf shoes. This style later became embellished with knitted cardigans, flamboyant shirts and patterned socks.

By the 1930s, knickerbockers were out, and slacks were in – typically in white or grey. At the same time the stiff collar and necktie disappeared from the look.

A real change came when a 1933 heatwave promted US Open players to abandon all formality – the casual look was suddenly here to stay.

IMAGES © pxg

Uniform Since the 1940s, then, the uniform of shortsleeved knitted shirts, lightweight slacks, sturdy spiked shoes and hats with a brim has been universal, an in warmer climates, golfers have even worn shorts.

The likes of Arnold Palmer and Gary Player moved golf away from its conservative image, to a more practical, functional and playful approach. They were the first to wear khaki pants and polo shirts for freedom of movement, and in the 70s and 80s this led to colours becoming increasingly loud, with players sporting bright pinks, blues, oranges and yellows a – sometimes all in one outfit.

Loud patterns also became popular.

Fortunately, the game now seems to have evolved beyond that stage, with a lot of the changes in style dictated by fabric technology, as synthetic materials capable of wicking moisture and improving air circulation around the body were introduced.

Moreover the equipment and apparel manufacturers have fully embraced the idea of golf as a lifestyle rather than merely a sport.

PXG, started in 2014 to develop hightech golf clubs, now describes itself as an ‘experiential’ company. Founder Bob Parsons has been quoted as saying: “We are not in the golf club business. We are in the business of creating exceptional experiences.”

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Equipment It’s true that PXG’s golf clubs are so technologically advanced and so meticulously engineered that many have dubbed them ‘sexy’ and ‘gamechangers’.

Parsons brought former PGA TOUR player and golf club designer, Mike Nicolette and inventor Brad Schweigert on board to explore the science behind the equipment industry and establish a world-class golf research and development company, which would eventually become PXG. Developed with no cost or time constraints or materials limitations, PXG clubs incorporate all sorts of high-tech innovations.

Hollow-bodied irons injection molded with proprietary vibration dampening polymers deliver exceptional performance and a comfortable feel. Eye-catching, precision weighting technology promises fine-tuning. CNC milling perfects every line, curve and surface, and a personalized fitting experience means no two set of PXG clubs are exactly alike. In fact, they are designed to be as unique to you as your swing.

Following a fitting, which usually takes place in a one-to-one meeting at your club, a PXG fitting studio, or, with today’s restrictions, over the phone, specifications go to PXG’s master builders. True craftsman, PXG builders hand-assemble every club with painstaking care and precision.

The experience that PXG hangs its hat on is brought to life through engagement during a fitting and when consulting with PXG’s player support team. It is also about belonging to a special lifestyle movement that equally embraces golf, fashion and fun.

PXG currently offers a full lineup of stunning, high performance drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters including a brand new 0211 series and GEN4 range. Each club has been developed to provide the best opportunity technology currently affords for golfers to improve their game and have more fun on the course.

But PXG also has a bold, fashionforward apparel collection spearheaded by President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel, Renee Parsons.

“The golf equipment side of PXG was

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COLLECTIONS // STYLE

there are golf pants with front and back pockets to hold essentials, with a flat front and slightly tapered leg offering a classic, athletic look.

For a more casual, modern style, there are camo shorts made in a pattern inspired by the pristine, wide-open fairways found at Scottsdale National Golf Club; and a matching camo pattern pullover.

For women, there’s a performance plaid polo-neck with snap button placket and collar and side vents, and also the female equivalent of the camo pullover.

And for both sexes, there are hats, including adjustable Velcro caps and sports visors to keep sun and hair out of your eyes.

“I think PXG is known to be bold and a rule breaker and a maverick,” Renee Parsons told GOLF.com. “It’s fun. It’s for people who want to be different and want to make a statement with their clothes. It’s for people who care about what kind of golf clubs they hit; they care about what they’re wearing at the time, whether it be golf, after golf, out to dinner, or out with friends.”

“In the leisure market, everybody is hungry for bold, fresh collections, whether they’re on the golf course or not,” she says. “We’re looking at that as a niche for us: attention to detail, bold, very much PXG. That inand-of itself is a differentiating feature. We have the DNA of the brand baked-in, and then we have different touches that add to that throughout the collection and details.”

Dress Code

started by my husband, and in mid 2018, we began talking about apparel”, Renee told Red Book magazine.

“I’ve always been interested in fashion, and I love golf, so it was kind of the perfect storm... I saw a real need for golf apparel, especially for women. PXG is bold and innovative; we’re a bit of a disrupter in the golf apparel market. We source fabrics from such places as Italy and pay meticulous detail to quality, touches and fine details.”

As a way to connect equipment and apparel, PXG’s commitment to holding

nothing back, exploring new technologies, and labouring over every detail is not lost on apparel, which lives up to PXG’s reputation for delivering the finest in every measure.

Featuring PXG’s signature black-andwhite colour scheme, with each season including a signature colour that helps PXG tell its story and provides collectable pieces to customers, men’s apparel includes athletic fit logo polo-neck tops, made in a four-way stretch, nylon/spandex material designed to offer moisture wicking, quick drying and UPF 50+ sun protection. Then

The impact of corporate sponsorship, with its prominent logos, has developed a good deal from the 1940s, when British Open winner Henry Cotton offered to change his name to ‘Henry Nylon’ or ‘Harry Polyester’ for promotional purposes. He got no takers.

Modern apparel sponsorships wouldn’t become a huge part of the professional game until the 1990s.

Men’s style bible GQ points out that the first rule of dressing for golf is to check your local club’s dress code. What swings on the course may not score a hole in one in the club-house.

But whether you’re a good stick or a duffer, a few equipment and apparel manufacturers, particularly PXG, will continue to deliver top-quality designs in both equipment and apparel, so your look can be as on-trend as your game. 

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THE BEST WE’VE EVER MADE

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19/03/2021 14:54

ARTS // GALLERIES

Empire of the Arts Maddox Gallery has established itself as an international force in contemporary arts.

We asked Creative Director Jay Rutland for his insights into the market

By Chris Jenkins

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GALLERIES // ARTS

“

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If a piece of artwork touches you emotionally and you feel like you would regret not buying it, then you shouldn’t pass on it

“

IMAGES ©maddox gallery/the artists

F

ounded in 2015, Maddox Gallery has quickly established itself as an international powerhouse within the world of contemporary and modern art. With five locations in London, Gstaad and Los Angeles showcasing some of the most respected blue-chip, established and emerging artists, the galleries attract both seasoned and aspiring collectors looking to immerse themselves in the highly collectable world of contemporary and modern art.

The galleries work hard to support their affiliated artists, each acclaimed in their own field, including the up-and-coming Connor Brothers, Bradley Theodore and Joseph Klibansky, alongside established names like RETNA and the photographer David Yarrow, and world-renowned figures such as Banksy, KAWS, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.

As Creative Director of Maddox Gallery, Jay Rutland turned his passion for contemporary art into an international empire, placing a focus on both supporting emerging artists and championing street art, as well as presenting works by leading names.

– Jay Rutland, Maddox Gallery

WISH-LIST

Top: The interior of Maddox Gallery, London Above: Banksy, Flying Copper (Blue), 2003 Left: Maddox Gallery London, bedecked for Spring

We asked him about his favourite artworks, his current wish-list, and top tips on creating a notable art collection, starting by asking about his first purchase.

“That was a print by Banksy, Flying Copper (Blue), way back in 2004” he explains. “My older sister’s husband Richard was a prolific collector of Banksy at the time and I would admire his ever-growing collection every time I visited their house. The next thing I knew I was buying one myself and the love affair with art had begun. And yes - I still own it.”

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ARTS // GALLERIES

work that I purchased that day, but it also still brings me the same joy.”

Upcoming exhibitions at the Maddox Gallery suggest this combination of joy in the work, and the thrill of spotting a potential investment. From 1st-31st May in the Los Angeles gallery is Mikael B, an LA -based urban contemporary artist whose work focuses on transforming experience into abstract design. Mikael B’s artwork focuses on both depth and form, and is described as “echoing Picasso’s style with a street art twist and pop of colour.”

“

Not only do I love both Keith Haring and Andy Warhol’s work, I also think there is going to be a major move in their markets over the next few years

“

While Banksy is still high on Jay Rutland’s wish list, other artists such as George Condo also feature high. “I am a big fan of Condo and have been wanting to add his work to my collection for a while” says Rutland, who recently bought Condo’s small print work Droopy Dog Abstraction. “I have the perfect space in my office at our chalet in Gstaad, so I am very much looking forward to it going up.

“I also just purchased a work called Twins by David Yarrow, showing a mother elephant with two baby elephants. My wife just recently gave birth to our second daughter, so it felt particularly relevant and my wife loves it.”

Planned for 2021 at Maddox Gallery are exhibitions by Jerkface, The Miaz Brothers, The Connor Brothers and Joseph Klibansky, all of which Rutland hopes to add to his collection. “In regards to emerging artists, I’m not much of a planner so it will depend on which new artists I discover this year. As for the more established blue-chip artists, there are a number that I am looking to purchase over the next few months. I am particularly keen to add some Keith Haring and Andy Warhol original works to my collection - not only do I love both of their work, but I also think there is going to be a major move in their markets over the next few years.”

– Jay Rutland, Maddox Gallery

In the UK, The Miaz Brothers are on show later in the year. Challenging traditional notions of portraiture, the sibling duo Renato and Roberto Miaz present a radical new approach to the genre, using layers of aerosol paint to create largeformat canvases that appear out of focus.

Also in the UK, scheduled for this Spring, South Africa-born Joseph Klibansky shows his menagerie of polished bronze animals and other surrealist sculptures. Also on show are his expressive pastel canvases depicting dreamlike landscapes in fictive place where utopia and dystopia co-exist.

Later in the Year, in LA from 1st-30th June, American artist Justin Bower explores the notion of identity in a post-human society through his large-scale oil on canvas paintings. In a culture where technology is displacing religious belief systems, Bower’s futuristic paintings interrogate the human condition.

And in the UK, from 10th June to 1st July, New York-based graffiti artist Jerkface is on show. Widely recognised for his playful re-imaginings of pop culture iconography through repetition, geometric abstraction and a surrealist fusion of cartoon characters,

ICONIC Rutland’s one regret from the past is missing the opportunity to buy a Banksy before the artist’s work started to reach stratospheric prices. “About eight years ago I had the opportunity to purchase a large Girl With Balloon work on canvas

by Banksy. For reasons that I don’t even remember now I dithered, and the work was sold to someone else. I’ve always regretted it because not only has it gone on to become the most iconic and sought after work by the artist, but it has also increased in value tremendously from the price that I could have bought it for.”

“Buy what you love. It’s the old cliché but so very true. Whilst we always hope that the value of a piece of art will increase over time, the biggest investment is the joy you get from owning the work. For example, I still remember how I felt the first time I saw Stik’s work. I found the pure simplicity of it fascinating and not only do I still own the

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GALLERIES // ARTS

Jerkface creates iconic artwork that evokes nostalgia with a contemporary twist.

Which of these might Jay Rutland recommend as an investment? While he owns some very expensive works of art, including an original of Andy Warhol’s Chanel from Ads, which takes pride of place in the bedroom of his London home, his advice is always to go for what you love: “If a piece of artwork touches you emotionally and you feel like you would regret not buying it, then you shouldn’t pass on it.

“During lockdown, many of my clients called me from home to say they were tired of looking at blank walls and asked for artwork options.

SCULPTURE “I think in these strange times a lot people want something more brightly coloured to brighten their home and in this new era of social distancing, perhaps even an impressive background for a zoom call!

It’s been very interesting to see how what happens in the world affects the way people desire and view art.”

Another aspect of Rutland’s taste is for artworks incorporating text. “Since the beginning of time, language and art have collided and intersected” he says. “And from the modern era onward, artists have employed words and language to diverse effect. Favourites of mine are Harland Miller, The Connor Brothers, Ed Ruscha, Jean Michel-Basquiat, Mel Bochner and Christopher Wool.”

Rutland doesn’t describe himself as a big collector of sculpture, but has started to add pieces to his collection in recent years. “I have always admired the work of Ugo Rondinone and then more recently I have been purchasing some of Joseph Klibansky’s sculptures - the closest thing I have seen to Jeff Koons in terms of quality.”

As for tips for artists to invest in now, Rutland describes that as “An easy one!

Warhol. Haring. KAWS.” The flagship gallery in the heart of Mayfair is located in a converted Victorian townhouse on London’s Maddox Street.

Set across four floors, the 3,750 sq ft space features a glass atrium filling the gallery with natural light, illuminating the finer details of the artworks on display.

It’s a space in which browsing is encouraged, with experts on hand to talk

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through the artists and artworks on display.

Its reputation for exhibiting cutting-edge work from internationally acclaimed artists and gifted newcomers has earned it a unique status among global art destinations.

(Opposite) Jay Rutland at Maddox Gallery

Online

Is this, then, the shape of the future for Maddox Gallery and indeed for the art world? Jay Rutland says: “Digital has always been a priority for us here at Maddox, and the transition from physical to virtual exhibitions has been something that we’ve always believed will serve to benefit both galleries and the art market in the years to come.

Having the ability to offer virtual exhibitions and gallery tours not only makes art accessible to a wider audience, but also allows for art enthusiasts and collectors from overseas to engage with the gallery from the comfort of their own home, which is truly invaluable”. 

But of course in the past year, Maddox Gallery, like many other art institutions, has had to invest more time and energy into online virtual reality showings. Using the latest VR technology, visitors can move around virtual galleries and zoom in on artworks rendered in ultra-high-definition detail. Shows included As Above So Below with London based artist, Graceland; Reality Is A Lovely Place, But I Wouldn’t Want To Live In There with the Connor Brothers; Pop Up, an online exclusive Pop Art collection featuring a collection of works by the genre’s big hitters, including Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein; and Virtual Encounters with wildlife and landscape photographer David Yarrow.

(Above) Joseph Klibansky, White Universe

www.maddoxgallery.com

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COLLECTIONS // JEWELLERY

Sparkling Sales There are signs that jewellery sales are picking up post-Covid, with a recent sale at Fellows of Birmingham realising over £1m.

By Chris Jenkins

T

hough many auctions are still being run virtually or behind closed doors, there are definite signs that the market is picking up post-Covid – perhaps customers have been spending their days in lockdown browsing auctioneers’ websites for pretties.

Certainly a recent jewellery bonanza at Fellows of Birmingham performed above expectation, with taking of over £1 exceeding expectations.

Founded in Birmingham in 1876, Fellows is a family-run firm of auctioneers and valuers, holding weekly sales, with specialist watch and jewellery auctions becoming increasingly popular. In 2018, Fellows was named the leading UK regional auctioneer by the Antiques Trade Gazette.

In its Fine Jewellery auction on March 25th, held behind closed doors at its Jewellery Quarter salesroom in Birmingham, Fellows realised over £1m in an eight-hour bonanza with many lots flying above their estimates.

A total of 1,200 registered bidders signed up for Fellows’ best auction of 2021 so far, with many lots receiving a huge amount of interest.

Perhaps the pick of the bunch was a pavéset diamond ‘Chaine d’Ancre Punk’ bracelet,

by Hermès (Lot 195). The beautiful piece of jewellery sold for a whopping hammer price

of £20,000 against an estimate of £4,000 £6,000.

Antique jewellery was also sought after, with a late Victorian 15ct gold multi-gem and enamel necklace (Lot 170) selling for a hammer price of £7,100, against an estimate of £2,500 - £3,500. There was also keen interest in a 19th century set of silver and gold harlequin paste jewellery (Lot 601). The lot included a graduated rivière necklace, earrings and pendant component, and sold for £4,500 against an estimate of £400 - £600.

A pavé-set diamond Juste un Clou bangle

by Cartier (Lot 196) sold for a hammer price

Above: Lot 260 - A pair of old-cut diamond stud earrings. Estimate: £7,500 - £8,500. Hammer price: £16,000.

Below: Lot 196 - A pavé-set diamond ‘Juste un Clou’ bangle, by Cartier. Estimate: £18,000 £22,000. Hammer price: £23,000.

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JEWELLERY // COLLECTIONS

Left: Lot 170 - A late Victorian 15ct gold multi-gem and enamel necklace. Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500.

Hammer price: £7,100.

Below: Lot 82 - An old-cut diamond single-stone ring. Estimate: £5,000 - £7,000. Hammer price: £14,000.

of £23,000, against an estimate of £18,000 £22,000.

Many pieces of jewellery featuring diamonds in particular also fetched high prices. A pair of diamond stud earrings (Lot 260) fetched a hammer price of £16,000 against an estimate of £7,500 - £8,500.

IMAGES © FELLOWS

escapism The Fine Jewellery sale showcased 629 lots, featuring a selection of modern, vintage, and branded jewellery in a range of elegant styles. Customers were able to bid via the telephones, commission bidding, or by using two live bidding platforms – Fellows Live and The Saleroom.

Stephen Whittaker, Auctioneer and Managing Director at Fellows Auctioneers, who was on the rostrum from 11am to 7pm, said: “I am proud of everyone at Fellows who helped ensure we held our best auction of 2021 so far. It was a grand effort, and we are still seeing huge numbers of new registrants sign up to our auctions.

“Despite the difficulties for everyone over the last 12 months, it is a delight that so many people continue to see our auctions as the perfect escapism. I am equally pleased that we were able to achieve so many good results for our vendors, who I hope are as delighted as I am.”

For a full list of upcoming auctions and auction catalogues visit www.fellows.co.uk. 

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Top Right: Lot 601 - A 19th century set of silver and gold harlequin paste jewellery, including a graduated rivière necklace, earrings and pendant component.

Estimate: £400 £600. Hammer price: £4,500.

Right: Lot 195 - A pavé-set diamond ‘Chaine d’Ancre Punk’ bracelet, by Hermès.

Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000. Hammer price: £20,000.

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COLLECTIONS // FURNISHINGS

The Art of

Luxury Living From elegance to decadence, opulent furnishing and luxurious decoration is right on trend. We curate some stunning styles with a focus on Art Deco

IMAGES © delightfull/essential homethe furniture rooms/studiopepe

By patricia savage

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FURNISHINGS // COLLECTIONS

www.artsandcollections.com

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Above: Trendy golden details with Vaughan lighting from DelightFULL and Essential Home Left: Studiopepe’s Fitzgerald Sofa and Ike Floor

“

Have nothing in your home that you don’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

- William Morris

“

B

lurring the lines between artistry and functionality, modern luxury furniture is as much the work of the designer as the craftsman. No-one would attempt to argue that any one style is right or wrong – you can mix and match from room to room, or even in one space.

It’s all about what makes you feel comfortable and what portrays your taste, from antique to contemporary.

The terms “modern” or “contemporary” are often conflated, but they are actually distinct design types in themselves. Then there’s vintage - younger than antique, maybe

50-100 years old - and retro, from the last three decades. Minimalism, relaxed modern, shabby chic, boho, industrial – what’s your style? Periodically in fashion, Art Deco lends itself to luxury and opulence. When did it come back into popularity?

The experts from The Furniture Rooms (https://thefurniturerooms.co.uk) say it never really went out, and may have surprising current relevance. “In the strange times we find ourselves in, one thing is for sure; we have all spent much more time in our homes and our surroundings than we have ever done before” says The Furniture Rooms.

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COLLECTIONS // FURNISHINGS

“

One should never be the oldest thing in one’s house.”

- Patsy Stone, Absolutely Fabulous

“

“Many have fallen back in love with their homes, and took the enforced timeout from normal life as an advantage to have a change of decoration - some not so successful if social media is to be believed!

“Others have invested in décor and furniture, and one theme has led the way – Art Deco. The Bauhaus was where it all began - Art Deco furniture was the start of modernism. Disrupted by the war, it turned a path into Mid Century Modern.”

Recently offerings from The Furniture Rooms included a c. 1930 Art Deco Cloud Suite in Sycamore by Epstein, reupholstered

in faux suede, for £8,500; an Art Deco extendable dining table in Burr Ash with two carver chairs and four side chairs with deep red leather upholstery, at £4,800; and a beautiful pair of 1920s Art Deco bedside cabinets in amboyna wood with brass handles with cut crystal insets, brass sabots and door surrounds, at £1,650.

But of course the Art Deco style is not limited to vintage pieces, and is regularly revisited by modern manufacturers.

Below: An award-winning project by Ben Wu featuring DelightFULL’s Coltrane suspension lighting

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COLLECTIONS // FURNISHINGS

“

A designer knows when he has reached perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

- Antione de Sainte-Exupery

“

Essential Home has curated projects including the Ravenswood Residence in Chicago, where a casual-meets-formal mix of styles and cultures is evident in the living room, a haven of relaxation and socialization. Here the pairing of a beautiful velvet rounded sofa with luxury golden details in the armchair, centre and side table, with two drinks cabinets smoothly placed beside the fireplace, comes together to bring a beautiful contemporary design that translates elegance and sophistication at its highest level.

And Electrix Studio’s Luxury Penthouse Project in São Paulo shows the city’s bright spirit through great décor, where the right color palette comes together with bespoke golden details and amazing art deco furniture, featuring lighting by DelightFULL, and pieces by Tom Dixon, Tuuci, Vitra and Jonathan Adler.

In Covet Valley, a mid-century showroom overlooking the Douro in the Iberian

Peninsula, the interior design is like a time capsule that takes you back to the 1960s.

An instantly recognizable mid-century split-level layout is fully decorated with mid-century modern furniture, the house’s rigorous geometric lines and large windows complemented by Carter pendant lamps, chandeliers by Botti and tables by Nancy.

Top: Botti floor lamp and Gable chair, from Essential Home and DelightFULL Above: Art Deco Cloud Suite armchair in Sycamore

by Epstein, c1930, from The Furniture Rooms

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COLLECTIONS // FURNISHINGS

Above: Maison Valentina’s stunning master bathroom with bathtub in faux Carrara marble. The Maison’s designs are “born with the purpose to offer the customers an introspective moment and a unique experience, based on exquisite and sophisticated bathroom furniture combined with comfort and functionality, providing a truly sensory experience that ends in a moment of inner care and full contemplation.”

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FURNISHINGS // COLLECTIONS

For every room in the house, from the entrance hall to the bedroom, there is furniture with a touch of luxury and opulence.

Even at play, you can enjoy a range of furniture styles with beautiful gaming tables from Sir William Bentley Billiards. The fabulous Soho design full-size snooker table has an Art Deco inspired, yet timeless statement design, and can be clothed in your choice of material. It’s one of a choice of tables in traditional, modern and contemporary styles from these master restorers, with almost 40 years’ experience in making, renovating and installing tables for pool, billiards and snooker – some of which can double as dining tables with ingenious lowering mechanisms.

In the end, the choice of style is yours as decluttering expert and interior designer Marie Kondo says; “The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.”  Right: The Soho table from Sir William Bentley Biliards combines Art Deco design with function Below: Essential Home’s Mellow Yellow colour scheme captures the playful tones of the 1960’s

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COLLECTIONS // LEGAL

Mediate,

Don’t Litigate Art disputes over ownership, provenance or accidents can be expensive and distressing. Richard Clark extols the art of mediation

T

he last thing most collectors want to think about in the context of their art collections is the unwelcome subject of disputes.

Unfortunately, however, problems and disputes in the art world do arise and cover a wide spectrum of issues including disputes about acquisition and sale, defective title and ownership, disputed provenance and attribution, art insurance, damage, storage and transportation, cultural property and

export licences, intellectual property and art lending.

These disputes can involve museums, private collectors, dealers and galleries, auction houses, artists, estates, insurance companies and other art market intermediaries, and some can be resolved amicably between the parties at an early stage, but this is not always possible and things can escalate rapidly. A small but significant number of disputes end up in

court being litigated at great expense, to say nothing of the huge consumption of time, energy and emotional stress which comes with litigation.

Neutrality One way potentially to avoid an escalating and expensive public battle is for the parties to appoint a mediator. Mediation is a very common way of resolving commercial disputes and is increasingly being

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LEGAL // COLLECTIONS

IMAGES © DREAMSTIME/rchard clark

Successes An additional advantage of ODR is the ability to have multiple parties in multiple jurisdictions participating without the costs of everyone flying to a central venue. Only recently, I mediated a dispute

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“

There is little to lose and much to gain by engaging in mediation - in general, the earlier mediation takes place, the better Richard Clark, Art Disputes Mediator

relating to an £8m painting which involved parties participating over Microsoft Teams from Switzerland, New York and London.

Clients often worry about the technology but it is generally very good. All the major platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Skype and WebEx are suitable for multi-party mediation hearings and, of course, most people are now very familiar with and comfortable meeting in this way.

No doubt in-person mediations will return in a post-pandemic environment, especially for high value cases, but, as with so many other areas of life, ODR has received a huge boost as a result of our business lives being much more online than in-person, and this will likely continue after the pandemic is over.

The success rate for commercial mediations is high. I have kept a record of the result of every mediation I have ever conducted and the success rate of settlements on the day of the mediation is 97 percent. Of the three percent which did not settle on the day of the hearing, half settled within a month following the mediation which is almost certainly due

“

used in various areas of the art market.

Mediation is a process whereby the parties to a dispute or problem come together under the auspices of an independent and neutral mediator who will be an expert in helping parties to navigate complexity and find ways around the issues which divide and separate them, suggesting and guiding the parties to solutions which lead to settlement.

Mediation has many advantages over formal litigation and arbitration.

First, it is much cheaper and more efficient. Secondly, it is far more flexible than court or arbitration proceedings (where the slate of available formal, legal remedies is normally very limited).

In addition, unlike court proceedings, mediation is completely confidential and private – this is often a very important consideration in art disputes.

Mediations can be in-person or online.

During the pandemic, pretty much all mediations have been online (as indeed have court hearings and trials) and, provided the mediator is experienced in online dispute resolution (‘ODR’), they are generally just as effective as in-person mediations.

Among the art disputes I have mediated online over the last year are a disputed title claim relating to a $15m 20th century painting, a provenance and attribution dispute relating to an important old master painting, several art insurance disputes including accidental damage to a major impressionist painting, storage and transportation damage claims, export licence and provenance issues relating to the sale of an important antiquities collection, a multi-party art lending dispute, artist management and dealer/gallery disputes as well as auction house disputes and estate and inheritance disputes.

All these cases were settled at the end of a one-day mediation hearing, and the parties thereby avoided the deeply unattractive prospect of expensive and long running public litigation.

to the progress made at the mediation hearing in unblocking log jams and deadlock, helping all parties to see the real issues and navigate to a consensual solution.

With such high rates of success, the comparatively modest costs and the confidential nature of the process, many parties who find themselves in dispute feel there is little to lose and much to gain by engaging in mediation. In general, the earlier mediation takes place, the better. It is vital to select a mediator who has the requisite experience and knowledge to maximise the chance of settlement.

Mediation is as much an art as a science and the abilities of the mediator are key to optimising the time at the hearing. All the parties to a mediation need to come with a constructive attitude and a real wish to reach a fair settlement. When all these features are in place, the chance of resolving a dispute by mediation is very high.  Richard Clark Art Disputes Mediator www.richardclarkmediation.com

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COLLECTIONS // WINE

a region of diverse tastes

What is it about the Italian region of Puglia that helps it to produce such a wide range of of wines – including the outstanding vintages of San Marzano?

T

he Italian region of Puglia is a 400km long peninsula, more fertile in the north, drier in the South (Salento), where the shallow topsoils over limestone benefit from the cooling winds that blow off the Adriatic and the Ionian seas.

From the point of view of viniculture, the result is a very diverse region, incredibly rich in different grape varieties (both white and red), winemaking styles and of course wine types.

We find fine, fruity and crispy whites in the hilly area of Valle d’Itria, for istance, made from local grapes (Verdeca, Minutolo, Bianco d’Alessano); they are excellent to pair with seafood and vegetables.

As for reds, “the big three” varieties of the region are Nero di Troia, Negroamaro and Primitivo, but Puglia also has a long winemaking tradition of rosés.

CULTIVATION The traditional practice of cultivating headtrained bush vines is transmitted through generations of vine growers and farmers.

Puglia has a long winemaking tradition that dates back to Greek colonization (800/700 BC) and it is still very much influenced by this important milestone of its past: some of the grapes currently farmed in the region are of Greek origin, as is the vine training system called alberello (little tree=bush vine).

The story of San Marzano, a leading wine producer from Puglia, began in 1962. It now produces wines that preserve Puglia’s traditions and sense of terroir but in a clean and modern way. The Winery has played a central role in enhancing the value and profile of Primitivo, producing world-class wines and iconic labels.

One example is Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOP, the initiative of the President, Mr. Francesco Cavallo, who was determined to create a new wine that could express the authenticity of the Primitivo grape in a new and modern interpretation.

The first Sessantanni bottle is the product of the harvest of the year 2000, after the acquisition of a 40-hectare bushvine (Alberello) vineyard renamed Valle del Sessantanni (sixty-year old valley). The location is characterized by red soils, rich in iron oxides, over limestone subsoil.

This single vineyard has marked a turning point for the entire area and has earned a reputation as a reference standard for Primitivo wines internationally, including Tramari Rosé, a fresh, crispy and pale rosé wine, food friendly and versatile - the perfect balance between refined and casual. 

IMAGES © san marzano

By Chris Jenkins

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whisky // COLLECTIONS

The Angels’ Share Whisky investment needn’t be on a large scale – even individual bottles can be a wise buy if you know what to look for.

By Chris Jenkins

IMAGES © dreamstime

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nvesting in whisky can be a lucrative business, if you can follow the ups and downs of the market. Some investors choose to go for whisky casks, a fairly long-term and serious investment, while others go for individual bottles. Both have their pros and cons.

Certainly there are eye-watering records being set for bottles of whiskies on the auction market. Leading the sale in Sotheby’s first Whisky auction of the year were bottles from The Macallan, including from the Six Pillars Collection and Masters of Photography series, most notably the 56 Year Old Albert Watson label distilled in 1946, one of only 36 bottles ever to be released, with an estimate of £70,000.

And The Perfect Collection Part Two, the second part of the sale of Richard Gooding’s collection from Whisky Auctioneer, featured some incredible bottles led by a £330,000 bottle of Macallan 1926.

Clearly, if you are interested in buying bottles of whisky rather than investing in a cask, you’re unlikely to make a significant profit on anything you find in the local offlicence.

But there is certainly money to be made in whisky investment. Prices are up 582 percent in the last decade, and rare whisky up 40 percent last year - ahead of coins, wine, art and cars.

Awards The experts advise us to look out for bottles in four categories; those which have won recent awards, limited edition official bottles from popular distilleries such as Macallan, Bowmore and Glenmorangie, discontinued bottles, or ones that are likely to become hard to find soon, such as fairly-priced limited editions.

When Macallan Genesis was created in 2018 to mark the opening of the £140million distillery in Craigellachie, Moray, investors camped overnight in their quest for one of a reported 360 bottles released on site. A lucky few paid £495, and within a fortnight the bottles were fetching close to £5,000 on auction websites.

Reliably sought-after are bottles from so-called ‘ghost distilleries’, those which have closed down, so there’s no prospect of there being any further issue. There are at least 35 of these in Scotland alone,

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including Brora, Port Ellen and Rosebank – though these three are in various stages of being resurrected, and may be back in business by 2030.

And don’t discount the Japanese brands – Nikka and Suntory are hotly tipped, and again, there are ghost distilleries here such as Karuizawa and Hanyu.

So which of the contemporary distilleries are worth keeping an eye on? A lot depends on the historical background of the brand.

Iconic

MaturITY The Bunnahabhain distillery is unique to Islay for the lack of peat in its whisky, and the selection of sherry casks in its maturation.

The John Crabbie & Co team selected cask number 11562 for its complex sweet and savoury notes. Fifty years of ageing

“

When you drink a whisky, that’s when it comes alive and that’s when it dies – Whisky collector Diego Sandrin

“

For instance from the middle of the 19th century, John Crabbie blended his own range of whiskies from the finest distilleries such as Balmanech and Benrinnes. He became involved in the creation of one of Scotland’s most iconic grain distilleries, North British, and using the Port of Leith in Edinburgh as its base, the company sent its products to the world.

Leith became famous for wine and whisky storage, with around 100 warehouses storing wine and brandy, and Crabbie’s stored whisky for some of the foremost whisky distilleries, including Lagavulin, Talisker, and Laphroaig.

Today, Crabbie’s offerings include a 50-year-old single malt whisky from the celebrated Bunnahabhain distillery on the northern shores of Islay.

Bunnahabhain opened in 1881 and in the same year John Crabbie visited to research the quality of single malt. In 1884 he made his first purchase of 30 hogshead barrels, and the whisky became a key component in his world renowned blends such as Three Star and 8 Year Old Blend.

Now John Crabbie & Co has sourced a refill hogshead from the same coastal warehouse that was visited by John Crabbie, selecting a rare single cask bottling at cask strength, naturally coloured and without chill filtration, just as the distiller intended.

has resulted in a rich amber colour and exceptionally full, sweet, spice flavour. It’s regarded as the perfect example of whisky aged for many years in European oak, and the limited bottling of 226 is beautifully presented in hand-blown Glencairn crystal decanters in a solid ash display box.

And the Borders Distillery (above), which opened in 2018, the first whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837, has released 1,837 casks of Single Malt Scotch Whisky for private ownership.

The release of a Single Malt lies

somewhere in the distillery’s future - “It will be ready when it’s ready”, as they say – but the distillery’s founders have a strong sense of environmental and social responsibility, and were keen to support regeneration efforts in this corner of rural Scotland. They chose to refurbish an existing building, creating employment and a visitor attraction in the heart of the town, rather than erecting a new-build on its outskirts. The distillery sits on the banks of the River Teviot in an award-winning conversion of the town’s Edwardian electrical works.

Development Scottish Borders barley is the key ingredient for the spirit, with every grain harvested from 11 farms all lying within 30 miles of Hawick. The distillery draws its water from an underground lake beneath the site, providing pure water slowly filtered down through the rocks. Even if it never rained again (unlikely in the Borders!) the lake holds enough water to last the distillery for thousands of years.

Through the 1837 Private Cask scheme

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HOW WHISKY COULD PAY FOR YOUR FUTURE

‘Rare whisky is the best performing collectable over a ten year period, according to the Knight Frank Wealth report, gaining an average annual rise of 54% in value.’

Download your free copy of our Whisky Cask Investment Guide www.vintageacquisitions.com/whisky-investment

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Advertising Feature

S

ince 2011, the award-winning Vintage Acquisitions have been building valued relationships and an outstanding reputation in the buying, selling and management of investment-grade whisky casks, securing their position as the UK’s market leader of this lucrative and tax-free sector.

With decades of combined experience, Vintage Acquisitions offers unparalleled services in a fast-paced and exciting investment sector that is consistently on the rise.

Since 2011, Vintage Acquisitions have been trading high-end and rare whisky to private and commercial clients who purchase for consumption, production and investment purposes. Utilising their three decades of combined experience valuing, managing and - most of all - tasting and enjoying whisky, always ensures their client’s journey is a successful one.

Award-winning stockists and brokers of cask and bottled whisky, with all the relevant licences from HMRC to trade and store whisky under bond, Vintage Acquisitions is able to make informed, calculated recommendations to its clients from a position of carefully garnered insight and knowledge.

© Konrad Borkowski

‘The Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique’ is the newest bottle to our expanding collection of rare whisky.

In the last ten years, Vintage Acquisitions has seen an influx of private investors wishing to reap the rewards of this exciting, tax-free investment vehicle although, the reasons for purchasing vary greatly across their clientele. Therefore, Vintage Acquisitions considers it vital to build strong relationships with each of its clients to establish open communication enabling the team to understand what their client requires from their purchase and help them to achieve this. Since the company’s inception, its ethos has been ‘relationships are everything and good relationships are the pinnacle for success’, a philosophy that has resulted in Vintage Acquisitions becoming the award-winning premier choice in this historic and rewarding market.

Apart from qualifying for a year’s free membership to their exclusive ‘Vintage Whisky Club’, once on board, you can regularly draw samples and visit your cask(s), bringing your tangible investment to life. With a performancerelated business model and six proven exit strategies, you have multiple options to choose from when the time is ripe.

For a team of passionate whisky experts, helping clients to achieve their goals in production and investment is not only a lot of fun, but also a great opportunity to constantly develop and expand their market and product knowledge.

As Vintage Acquisitions nears a decade of operation, they are proud to be able to reflect on the invaluable relationships they have cultivated and the hard work they have put into building a reputation that has positioned the firm at the forefront of this buoyant and exciting market. United in their passion for whisky and the delight in helping clients achieve their investment goals, Vintage Acquisitions is able to set its sights on a long and very prosperous future ahead.

With 5 years free storage and insurance at one of their thirteen HMRC approved excise warehouse accounts, and all aspects of the investment life cycle

For further information please contact the Vintage Acquisitions team via their website www.vintageacquisitions.com or alternatively call +44 (0)208 057 2001.

Call Vintage Acquisitions today on +44 (0)208 057 2001 or email us info@vintageacquisitions.com

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seamlessly managed, the process is extremely low maintenance for the investor.

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the distillery has released 1,837 casks of Single Malt for private ownership.

Filled on a date of the owner’s choosing, each individually numbered cask is stored under bond and bottled when the owner wishes.

Cask owners receive access to a specially commissioned app, allowing them to follow the development of their spirit as it goes through the long, slow but essential process of maturation.

EXPLORATION And the distillery has created an exclusive cask package especially for Arts & Collections readers – 10 casks of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, filled in five different

cask types for £19,500. Perfect for those looking to explore the influence of different casks, the package includes two each of ex-bourbon, ex-rum, ex-rye, ex-Douro wine, and, exclusively for Arts & Collections readers, ex-cognac casks.

The Arts & Collections ten cask package is perfect for the whisky explorer, offering a unique way to experience the variety of flavours and aromas which can develop within different casks.

For more details of the 1837 Private Cask scheme, or regarding the Arts & Collections exclusive package, please contact John Fordyce at The Borders Distillery on 01450 374 330, or email 1837@thebordersdistillery.com.

If the excitement and uncertainty of investing in single bottles doesn’t appeal, you may be inclined towards the slower but more certain business of investing in a whisky cask. One advantage here is that you are often invited to taste the contents of the cask as it matures. Sadly, investing in bottles means that you may never taste the contents, unless you buy two.

Experts argue that around 80 percent of the flavour of a whisky comes from the cask in which it is matured, usually previously filled with sherry, port or bourbon. Casks are ‘toasted’ or ‘charred’, heating processes which makes the oak easier for the spirit to penetrate, and adds to its flavour. Often first-fill casks extract

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WHISKY INVESTMENT DONE PROPERLY Cask Trade is a trusted marketplace for trading and handling whisky casks. Unlike our competitors we don’t just sell casks, we buy them too.

We own all our casks, and we’re not brokers, we’re stockists. Anything that goes on our stock list is owned outright, and we verify each one before it appears on our stock list, so you can be confident that your cask is genuine.

As specialists in our field, we can offer unique access to some of the most collectable names in whisky – including rare and sought after malts. We share our insights and experience to help you find that perfect cask, or build a fine portfolio.

We are HMRC licensed and offer a choice of exit strategies, including our own auction – Auction Your Cask, giving you the opportunity to tap into our global client base of independent bottlers and investors. It means you can enjoy every aspect of your investment from start to finish.

GET IN TOUCH... info@auctionyourcask.com info@casktrade.com

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COLLECTIONS // WHISKY

the strongest flavours from the cask wood.

Before bottling, most whiskies are watered down to a standard percentage of alcohol, usually 40 or 43 percent.

Sometimes though, whisky is bottled at the ABV (alcohol by volume) at which it is drawn from the cask, maybe the high 60s for younger malts, or the low 40 for older whiskies. These ‘cask strength’ whiskies have a very individual character and relationship with their casks, making their maturation process a complex and fascinating one.

At Powerscourt Distillery in County Wicklow, Ireland, Master Distiller and Master Blender Noel Sweeney (seen right) has spent nearly 40 years in distilling, and his whiskeys have won literally hundreds of awards and medals.

Powerscourt’s inaugural programme of 397 casks of new Irish whiskey spirit is filled into premium, 200 litre, first fill, American white oak ex-bourbon barrels to mature for up to 21 years. The price of a cask including membership is 7,800 Euros.

Cask Programme Manager Kevin McParland said. “We believe in the longer term financial rewards of whiskey investment, and our cask programme has also been designed to support learning and lifestyle choices.”

LiQuidity

casks since 2011, Vintage Acquisitions (www.vintageacquisitions.com) has been dealing with both private and commercial clients. The company stores and trades whiskies under HMRC bonds, and advises its investors based on its market insight.

As the investment prospects for whisky have grown, Vintage Acquisitions has found itself dealing more and more with individual investors, building relationships through its Vintage Whisky Club and offering advantages such as five years free storage, regular tasting visits and a choice of investment ‘exit strategies’.

So, which to invest in, bottle or cask?

Whatever you choose holds the prospect of taste, tradition and opportunity. 

“

The sheer pleasure of people enjoying a whisky that was distilled 30-40 years ago is amazing.

Even if it’s the last bottle, so be it. That’s what it was made for.

– Whisky collector Geert Bero

“

But given the complex nature of whisky production, is it sensible for the non-expert to invest in a whisky cask at a cost of what may be thousands of pounds?

Sir Colin Hampden-White, NonExecutive Director of Cask Trade (www. casktrade.com) says: “I think it’s worth investing in whisky, but it’s harder and harder to invest in the right bottles. Casks on the other hand are much easier.”

Cask Trade’s approach to selling a cask and liquidating your assets is designed to make the process as simple as possible for the investor. A whisky cask auction managed through a sister website (www. auctionyourcask.com) allows private cask owners, independent bottlers and larger drinks companies to view and buy casks in an easy and convenient way. Cask Trade handles due diligence, and all payments and transfers of ownership to the buyer.

Involved in the buying, selling and management of investment grade whisky

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The Borders Distillery opened in 2018 – the first whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837.

The Directors have released 1,837 casks of Single Malt Scotch Whisky for private ownership. Filled on a date of the owner’s choosing, each individually numbered cask is stored under bond and bottled when the owner wishes.

The distillery has created an exclusive package especially for Arts & Collections readers – 10 casks of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, filled in 5 different cask types for £19,500.

Two casks each of ex-bourbon, ex-rum, ex-rye, ex-Douro wine, and, only available as part of this package, ex-cognac casks.

Call John Fordyce at the distillery on +44 1450 374330 or email 1837@thebordersdistillery.com for further information.

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Inhabiting The Virtual World We’re well into 2021 and arts events are still having to adopt a digital-first model.

How do events like Artes Mundi adjust?

By Chris Jenkins

Above: Carrie Mae Weems The Push, The Call, The Scream, The Dream, 2020

Right: Prabhakar Pachpute - The Bull (from the series Sea of Fist)

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Exhibition // COLLECTIONS

IMAGES © artes mundi/the artists

T

he UK’s largest international contemporary art prize, Artes Mundi 9, will open virtually (with guided video walkthroughs of each artist’s presentation) on Monday 15th March 2021 ahead of its planned physical exhibition in April. The winner of the £40,000 prize will be announced digitally on Thursday 15th April 2021.

Artes Mundi is an international arts organisation based in Cardiff, UK, established in 2002, and publicly funded by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.

Like many arts events, the biennial Artes Mundi, which might have anticipated returning to something like normal in 2021, is still having to adjust to the limitations imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Audiences will be able to explore the exhibition initially through guided video walkthroughs of each artist’s presentation and still photographic documentation within gallery settings.

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Premieres There is still the possibility of a physical opening at the National Museum Cardiff and other venues when Wales returns to Tier 2 restrictions and in-person visits are possible.

Meanwhile, as part of Artes Mundi’s new digital offering, a robust public programme will launch online alongside the exhibition, structured as a series of talks, podcasts, live streamed and downloadable activities and events.

Hosted on Zoom and presented in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University, the twice-monthly talks will be free to all with the first on Thursday 11th March at 8pm GMT, chaired by Artes Mundi 9 juror Rachel Kent, Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the global premiere of major new works by many of the shortlisted artists, including the photographic installation The Push, The Call, The Scream, The Dream

by Carrie Mae Weems, a new film, About Falling by Beatriz Santiago Muñoz, and sculpture, drawings and sound by Dineo Seshee Bopape.

Perspectives Nigel Prince, Director of Artes Mundi said: “Artes Mundi is a platform for diverse perspectives and voices that seeks to stimulate meaningful dialogue. As we live through and engage with global changes of significant impact, more than ever the work of all six artists speaks to and resonates with, the ideas and issues we need to address individually and collectively within our societies, concerning equity, representation, trauma and privilege.”

Until life returns to something like normal, reflecting these global changes online may be the art world’s best response to what are challenging circumstances for all creative organisations.  www.artesmundi.org

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COLLECTIONS // BOOKS

BOOK REVIEWS

From the life of painter Keith Haring and others who died young to the art of film-maker David Lynch, we bring you a selection of the weightiest tomes and most pocketable volumes to grace your bookshelf, coffee-table and tote bag

DESPERATELY YOUNG Vern G Swanson, Angela S Jones I ACC Art Books, £35 www.accartbooks.com Perhaps the first book to celebrate great artists who died before their time, this is an unique insight into the lives, work and deaths of some of history’s most tragic artists, from Masaccio, Basquiat, Schiele, Murayama and Anguissola to Girtin, Boty and more. The 256-page hardback has 121 colour illustrations presenting prime examples of each artist’s work, demonstrating how our cultural heritage is just a little narrower for their loss. The father-and-daughter writing team, experts in classicism, Soviet and religious art, provide telling commentary.

PUCCI Vanessa Friedman, Alessandra Arezzi Boza, Armando Chitolina Taschen I £200 www.taschen.com Bright colours, bold prints, and joie-de-vivre abound in this tribute to fashion house Pucci, featuring archival photography, sketches, designs, and evocative ephemera, capturing the breathtaking elegance, drama, and innovation of a unique brand. Each book is uniquely bound with one of a selection of original print fabrics from Emilio Pucci’s collection. This multilingual 448-page updated edition is a 36x36cm hardcover weighing 5.45 kg.

Also available at £1,500 is an art edition of 120 with a vintage Pucci scarf, signed by Laudomia Pucci.

NIKE: BETTER IS TEMPORARY Sam Grawe Phaidon, £69.95 www.phaidon.com We’re always baffled by the appeal of sneakers, or dabs as our Dads used to call them, but they’ve become a cultural phenomenon that transcends sports. Phaidon’s massive 300-page tome charts Nike’s design formula, innovations and insider stories, beginning with the company’s 2017 attempt to facilitate a sub-two-hour marathon. It’s beautifully designed the spine, visible through the clear jacket, showcases a series of coloured tabs that extend from its interior pages.

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BOOKS // COLLECTIONS

DAVID LYNCH: SOMEONE IS IN MY HOUSE David Lynch, Kristine McKenna, Stijn Huijts, Petra Giloy-Hirtz I $45.00 I www.prestel.com David Lynch is better known as a film-maker than an artist, but the visual sensibility he brought to Twin Peaks, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man and Blue Velvet is equally on show in his multimedia works. New in paperback, this revelatory book shows how Lynch applies his powerful imagination and visual language across genres, bringing together his dark, surreal and humourous paintings, photography, drawings, sculpture and installation, and stills from his films, accompanied by a thought-provoking essay by curator Stijn Huijts.

THE CO(S)MIC PICTURE OF REALITY IN THE ART OF JULIA CURYŁO Joanna Paneth I Unicorn, £20 www.unicornpublishing.org An unforgettable 128-page paperback adventure through Curyło’s exciting art, which combines images of space and technology, religion, consumerism, women’s art history, migrations and kitsch, this hefty book discusses the Polish artist’s work in a broader cultural context, referring to the history of art, religion and philosophy. Joanna Paneth provides an indepth study of her latest collection which focuses on existential themes, space and biblical figures.

MUSÉE PICASSO PARIS

IMAGES © THE PUBLISHERS

Edited by Anne Baldassari Flammarion I £30 https://editions.flammarion.com/ The Musée Picasso Paris houses the most impressive collection of Picasso’s works ever assembled. Structured chronologically, this expansive book features 360 specially commissioned photographs of Picasso’s greatest works and includes the history of the 4,500-room Hotel Salé, where the collection resides. Through ten phases, from the Blue period (1901-04) to the portrait of The Young Painter (1972), which he painted the year prior to his death, it’s all in this comprehensive volume which includes a biography and chronology.

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KEITH HARING Simon Doonan Laurence King, £12.99 www.laurenceking.com Good on personal photos but light on images of Haring’s actual work, this pocketable 128page hardback is part of the handy Lives of the Artists series. Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barney’s New York and a friend of Keith Haring’s, writes with clarity and sympathy about Haring’s now iconic work, which took in graffiti, hip-hop and LGBT culture, from his collaborations with Warhol, Madonna and Grace Jones to his death from AIDS at 31.

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COLLECTIONS // Artist

Inspiration in the City

Painter Sara Sherwood gave up a career in the City of London to become a full-time artist - but the city still influences her oil-on-canvas work.

By Chris Jenkins

S

ara Sherwood’s large-scale paintings often incorporate images of the city – though she turned her back on this world when she left a management career to take up art full time in 2005.

After art school she took up design rather than fine art, as this seemed to be the best way to support herself – a good decision as it turned out, because her design-led career path taught her many business skills which she uses today as a full time artist.

But the stresses of a management career led to what Sherwood calls a “breakthrough” when she ended up in hospital. “This turned out to be positive as I started to paint again to recover. I went to a local art class and was encouraged to work in oils.

“I pushed the boundaries of tradition and eventually left the group as I felt more free when painting alone. However, I was very grateful for the tutoring, support and friendships whilst I was there.”

Sara speaks of the “great joy” she gets from painting, “and most of all, peace. I think somehow this is captured in the art.”

VIbrant Her preferred medium of oil on canvas lends vibrant colours and dynamic movement to the work. “Sometimes I sing, dance or pray or all three when creating art. Other times I am still and completely in the moment.

I don’t think, I just paint and see what

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Artist // COLLECTIONS

happens. Playfulness and a willingness to let go of the outcome all play a part in my creativity. Somehow I can also manage to do this whilst working on commission to a brief.”

The colours, vibrancy and reflections of the views from the City inform much of her work - “Old buildings juxtaposed to new: brickwork and stone against glass and steel; buildings reflected in glass windows; lights in offices at night that twinkle like stars; reflections in rainy puddles; warm orange traffic lights in November to bright blue airy summer skies against the sharp clean edges of the high rise. Reality and imagination fuse together in new ways every time I see something or get an idea.”

Sara’s work is also informed by a Christian message; she says “My art has dual names, so it is inclusive on any level. It took me many years of searching to find Christianity so I embrace our spiritual journeys and want my art to be for everyone. That is the great thing about art, anyone can create or appreciate it.”

COMMISSION

Inspired She says of the work at 100 Leadenhall: “The project manager saw a painting of London called I Found the Bottom of the Rainbow and was inspired to ask me to create a work of art based on that. I went to the offices and discussed size, subject and colours.

“We decided to include an extra fresh green as well as other sunshine colours to compliment the olive-coloured seating in the reception. The brief was to paint uplifting art that gives both a calm and joyful welcome to clients. We chose to depict London, Paris and New York to represent the main headquarters and places of trade.

“This painting is one of the largest that I have created and it was made up of three canvasses for an overall span of four metres.

The centre piece of London was two metres long with two one metre squares either side.

“The client commissioned a florist to

provide a display that was in keeping with the art and the overall effect is absolutely stunning.

“Creating this work of art was very rewarding and many people have commented on and commissioned me for their office or home a result. I am pleased it has had such a big impact and hope people continue to enjoy it for many years to come.”

With selling online currently the only option, Sara has worked with artistic outlets such as Skylark Gallery on the South Bank to develop an online shop and community for artists.

Once the pandemic is over, though, she plans to be back on her old pitch in Spitalfields Market.

Meanwhile, Sara says: “I have social media channels, but it is not a natural thing for me to interact with, so I am learning, but prefer to direct everyone to my website. After all I do need time to paint!”  www.sarasherwood.co.uk

Left: Sara Sherwood in her studio - “I pushed the boundaries of tradition” Below - Sara Sherwood, Reflected in You, canvas print available at £550

IMAGES © sara sherwood

And indeed, Sara’s work sits just as comfortably in the home or the office. She has worked to commission for corporate clients including a major bank in Canary Wharf, City Asset Management at 7 Bishopsgate, HDI

Gerling at 10 Fenchuch St, and Chubb at 100 Leadenhall.

“My interior design background is very helpful as most people buy art after they have begun to decorate or want a painting to bring life to an existing room or to capture a special memory” says Sara.

“I visit in person or virtually to understand the space and colours and then offer suggestions and solutions.”

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Green Credentials.

Red-blooded Temperament.

Photo: AlexP

Porsche (964) 911 Targa reconcieved by EverratiTM

Creating the world’s most iconic electric cars.

Everrati™ reconceive the most beautiful, glamorous, desirable motorcars the world has ever seen.

We make iconic cars relevant to the world today; upgrading each one to offer unparalleled luxury, high performance, zero-emission electric power.

To future-proof your driving experience please register your interest at: www.everrati.com/artsandcollections Everrati™ supplies restored and modified classic and vintage cars for its customers. Everrati™ does not manufacture vehicles. Everrati™ is not sponsored, associated, approved, endorsed, nor, in any way, affiliated with the manufacturers of the cars they restore. All brand names, logos and crests along with any other products mentioned are the trademarks of their respective holders. Any mention of trademarked names or other marks is for purpose of reference only.

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Cars // COLLECTIONS

Turning

Classics Green Can you run a classic car and still save the planet? One way is with an electric engine retrofit. We steer you in the right direction…

By Chris Jenkins

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COLLECTIONS // Cars

Innovation But where does this leave the classic car driver? With a museum piece that can’t be taken on the road? Not necessarily – if you have the nerve for it, the internal combustion engine can be replaced with an electric unit, ‘greening’ the vehicle and making it fit to drive for years to come.

Dr Tia Kansara, CEO of Replenish Earth, a platform that inspires innovation in business with a philosophy to ‘live in harmony with nature’, believes that the responsibility falls on us all.

“There is an invitation card sitting on every

executive’s desk. If you want to have a business in five years, you’ll need natural resources for them... The opportunity is to transform your supply chain, explore alternative products and services whilst maintaining a competitive advantage in your industry.”

Recent EV forecasts clearly reflect this trend toward zero emissions, as passenger sales are predicted to reach 26 million by 2030 - over ten times those seen in 2019.

At the vanguard of the movement is emerging EV brand Everrati (formerly ionic). By reconceiving iconic cars from the past, Everrati is not only giving older cars a new lease of life, but also saving the carbon expenditure needed to produce a new car. A classic vehicle has already ‘spent’ its carbon footprint, so this upcycling process is a much greener option when compared to scrapping a car (since many older cars have almost zero recyclable parts), or letting it take up space in a garage.

Everrati’s founder Justin Lunny says: “To me, one of the main outputs of the pandemic is that we have all ‘woken up’ to what the world could be like if we were to lower our emissions. The focus is now clearly on environmental awareness, pollution and particulate reduction, and clean air.”

Inspiration Lunny’s inspiration came partly from the statistic that many classic cars emit the equivalent to their own weight in CO2 every 1,500-2,000 miles driven. He comments: “A dilemma facing many existing, and wouldbe owners, is that most of these magnificent cars will likely be banned or at least heavily discouraged from cities within five years due to their emissions. We fully believe the time is right to disrupt the sector and deliver beautiful, usable icons to thought-leaders concerned with sustainability.”

Contributing to Everrati’s project is exLotus and McLaren engineer Mike Kerr, who

IMAGES © everrati

D

o you drive a classic car, or yearn to own one? If so, do you feel a pang of guilt every time you start up its petrol engine? We all know that air pollution, to which the transport sector contributes around the 28% of the UK’s carbon emissions, is a major cause of diseases such as asthma, and of course there’s the increasingly critical question of CO2 emissions and global warming.

No wonder the mood – and increasingly, government legislation – is shifting the car market towards electric vehicles, or EVs.

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Cars // COLLECTIONS

powertrain, with a 57 kWh battery pack giving a range of over 160 miles. For purists, perhaps the best part of the electrification process is that the work is completely reversible, although they may want to retain the luxurious custom interior refit options Everrati offers as part of the converion.

immortalised Some of Everrati’s projects so far include a Mercedes-Benz SL ‘Pagoda’ and the iconic Porsche 964 Targa, as well as Land Rovers and E-Type Jaguars.

An intriguing prospect for the future is Everrati’s deal to license the use of Gulf Oil motor racing colours on its cars. Most associated with the Ford GT40s of the 1960s, and immortalised in the movie Le Mans starring Steve McQueen, the distinctive Zenith Blue and Tangerine colour scheme always turns heads.

There’s also an online configurator allowing you to bring your personalised Everrati vision to life on screen with various body and wheel colour combinations.

Running a classic car without guilt? That sounds like an aim worth driving for.  joined London-based Everrati in 2020 as Director of Engineering.

Kerr worked on the Evija hyper-car program at Lotus, and the P1 and Speedtail hybrid hyper-car drivelines at McLaren, and developed its first V6 hybrid Sportscar driveline, due to be released in 2021.

He says: “Hyper-cars represent an opportunity to test and develop the very latest cutting-edge automotive technologies.

The increasing number of electric hyper-cars now in development reflects just how rapidly EV technologies have come, to provide the highest performing powertrain solution available.”

“While these hyper-cars race to be the next performance automotive icons of the future, at Everrati we understand that the vehicles we produce have already won the race to be true automotive icons. So, our job at Everrati is to therefore use those same EV technologies to respectfully improve our cars where required, but reliably ensure these already iconic classics maintain their value and appeal, to continue their own race towards a different low carbon future.”

Typically, the EV unit will include a stateof-the-art, custom engineered electric

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(Previous page) Justin Lunny of Everrati in the company’s Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda, and the Everrati Porsche’s EV unit

(Above and below) Everrati’s Porsche 911, and (first page) its visualisation in Gulf Oil colours

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COLLECTIONS // Wellness

Passing the

Stress Test

Modern life can impose stress on us all – what techniques can we use to ease the pressure?

By richard benson

P

ressures of relationships, work, money, health and concern about the state of the world generally can result in stress – and stress has real health consequences, both physical and mental.

Glenn Geher, professor of evolutionary psychology at New York State University, proposes the concept of ‘evolutionary mismatch’. “Our brains are wired for certain conditions, but our surroundings no longer match those conditions,” says Geher. “In other words, we have Stone Age brains in modern environments.”

Geher says that the advent of agriculture about 10,000 years ago was the biggest game-changer. “Before agriculture, not a single human ever ate processed food. For the lion’s share of the human evolutionary experience, the sweetest thing you’d find was sweet berries or grapes. Now, with modern technology, you can put mediocre cupcakes or cookies out at a kid’s birthday party next to the best grapes in town, and you know you’ll be wrapping up those grapes at the end of the party.

“When the things we have evolved to crave are readily available, we always lean toward the stimuli that offer instant satisfaction.”

rigorous workout, just 30 minutes of physical activity three to five days a week.

Cutting down on coffee, chocolate and caffeinated drinks might also help you relax, as the energy boost they give can increase heart rate and anxiety levels.

CEO of The Kusnacht Practice, Eduardo Greghi, says: “The first sign to look out for: is that person still exercising? Is he or she is eating well, sleeping well? Those are the first signs that a person has started to feel stress and anxiety.

“The first thing that happens is people

begin to isolate themselves a bit. Then feeling more anxious, drinking a bit more and taking prescription drugs follow. These are the early signs ahead of burnout.

“The core value at The Kusnacht Practice is well-being. Be present, take care of yourself, do your sports and exercise, it’s nearly a religious thing.

“Spend time with people you love as much as you can. And sleep, that’s definitely also a key element of staying healthy.

“But don’t be afraid to ask for professional help and speak about your feelings.” 

wellbeing

IMAGES ©dreamstime

Between these evolutionary mismatches and the availability of antianxiety drugs to offer a quick fix, many of us suffer from stress symptoms such as insomnia, decreased libido, and increased hunger.

So what is the solution? Exercise is of course a natural antianxiety measure, as physical activity raises the levels of moodimproving endorphins and serotonin. It can also function to take your mind off your problems - and it doesn’t have to be a

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My journey of self-discovery has led me to a destination that has enriched my life in so many previously unimaginable ways. Now emotionally and physically rebalanced and rejuvenated I realise that this investment in myself has given me an entirely new-found love of life, that’s full of deep happiness and health. I now know how to properly reap the rewards of my hard-earned success and have been granted extended longevity along with many more years to savour with my precious family and friends.

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COLLECTABLES // WHERE TO SPEND IT

Where to

SPEND IT

From a pretty poison bottle to an electric hypercar, we bring you the most desirable luxury collectables and technological marvels for you to splash your cash on

BY RICHARD BENSON

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PRETTY POISON Olivia Young’s luxury and bespoke Ouroboros jewellery is designed to be worn - tactile and talismanic, it uses centuries-old techniques including the Moghul kundan setting, with gold and precious stones designed to give pleasure as much to the wearer as to those gazing at the wearer. Based on the ancient Greek belief that amethyst extracted poison, which led them to make their wine goblets from the gem, Pick Your Poison is a bottle hand-carved from a single piece of amethyst, with the snake carved to become an ouroboros encircling the amphora, with a fine gold stopper. It is attached to a hand-made 36-inch chain of 20kt gold. Cost is £6,180. www.ouroborosjewellery.com

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PAPER HOUSE Named after its brilliant designer who sadly passed away in October last year, the Kenzo Takada stationery collection from ExaClair is inspired by the luxury home-and-lifestyle brand K-3. It features items that carry the Kintsugi mark, which is a tribute to an ancient Japanese art that invites people to repair a broken object by highlighting its scars with gold leaf instead of hiding them. This appears in the collection’s £135 stationery box which includes two notebooks, a fine art pad, a memo pad, 12 pollen envelopes, and a calligraphy glass pen. A wider selection of note pads, pencil cases, folders and files are also available in the range. https://exaclairlimited.com

FRENCH NEW WAVE Adopting a navy blue colour scheme chosen by Designer & Product Colourist Doris Bölck to offset its copper and bronze body, the Celestee mobile headphones from Focal offer a highly original design identity together with precise, balanced and deep sound. The clean lines of the aluminium yoke create controlled geometry to mould perfectly to the head while providing optimal grip, and the choice of a semi-aniline leather and microfibre headband, as well as leather earpads, provides added comfort while offering excellent soundproofing for use at home or on the move. Price is £999. https://www.focal.com

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SOUND UNLEASHED Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Level is a portable wireless home speaker combining impressive sound with unrivalled craftsmanship. With its slim shape and built-in recessed handle, whether standing upright, lying flat on a table or hanging on the wall, the speaker intelligently changes its tuning to deliver an exceptional music listening experience. Designed by Torsten Valeur and crafted at Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark, Beosound Level comes with a pearl blasted aluminium frame (RRP €1249) or Gold Tone finish (RRP €1499). The wall bracket is an additional €99. www.bang-olufsen.com

WHERE TO SPEND IT // COLLECTABLES

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TOO-WHIT, TOO-WHOHOOO! First announced in 2018, after endless enhancements the Aspark Owl is now on sale, if you have $2.9m to spend.

Claimed to be the world’s fastest accelerating car, at 0-60mph in 1.72 seconds, the all-electric Japanese hypercar is built in Italy by MAT and has a top speed of 248.55mph – and that’s on road-legal tyres. Just 50 will be built, with dealerships in North America, the Middle East and Europe, where 20 will be sold. Visit the Osaka headquarters to see the two production prototypes. https://asparkcompany.com

AGED TO PERFECTION The latest collaboration between ‘Godfather of Pop Art’, Sir Peter Blake, and The Macallan distillery is the Anecdotes of Ages collection, 13 bottles of exceptional 1967 whisky, each with its own original Sir Peter Blake collage art on the label. Twelve of the 13 bottles will be sold to the public, one auctioned for charity. A limited edition of 332 bottles featuring the 13th label, Down to Work, will be available at £50,000, and a bottling called An Estate, A Community and a Distillery sold at £750. www.themacallan.com

7 VOICES ON YOUR HEAD

IMAGES © OUROBOROS JEWELLERY/EXACLAIR/FOCAL/ BANG&OLUFSEN/MACALLAN/FAUNA/ASPARK

Fauna’s eyewear offers the ultimate in style, combined with crystal-clear audio for use with Bluetooth devices. An audio module in each temple with two patented MEMS electrodynamic micro-speakers, two woofers and two microphones deliver a crystal clear sound without major leakage. Its Spiro Transparent Brown sunglasses and Memor Havana glasses with blue light filter lenses come with a charging case, have Italian acetate frames, weigh just 50g and will be available to purchase from Look Again and wearfauna.com for £249. Both models are compatible with iPhone 5 or later and Android 6.0 or later and use Bluetooth 5.0 with a range of up to 10 metres. https://wearfauna.com

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COLLECTIONS // TRAVEL

THE SUN SHINES ON ANDALUCÍA

Despite the ups and downs of the property market, Andalucía remains one of the most exciting regions for foreign buyers. But what is the attraction?

BY CHRIS JENKINS

T

he property market in many parts of Europe has had a torrid time, none more so than Spain, where the 20082013 period saw speculative oversupply, a collapse in demand, and a credit bubble offering 100 percent mortgages add up to a perfect storm of misfortune.

But, the Covid pandemic aside, there are strong signs of recovery in areas such as Andalucía, which is a good example of just how fragmented the property market is in Spain - the domestic and overseas sectors operating more or less independently.

The overseas property sector during Spain’s long post-2008 recession was little affected by the domestic economic meltdown, going from strength to strength while the domestic market floundered.

CAPITAL GROWTH Local property expert Barbara Wood says: “Without doubt 2021 is going to be an interesting year in Andalucía’s overseas property market. Personally, I think overseas demand will remain strong in all the traditional prime locations… Obviously, the impact of Covid-19 and the consequences for the property market are unknown. However, foreign buyers drove the initial recovery of the property market after the 2008 crash… I suspect they are going to be just as important in the post-Covid recovery.”

In Andalucía, the property market is led by Málaga province, the Marbella municipality on the coast and the Benahavís municipality in the hills. Estepona municipality also offers a good choice of apartments. These three

municipalities accounted for 21.7 percent of the market in the province in 2019 - with Málaga city itself added into the mix, that rises to 46.8 percent.

The Costa Tropical in Granada province offers superb panoramic sea views, with some frontline properties having steps right into the sea. In Cádiz province, the area around Sotogrande is a highlight, with a wide range of properties from holiday apartments to palatial mansions.

SOTOGRANDE Since Sotogrande’s inception in the 1960s, it has been a home for the elite who seek space, respite from a fast-paced city life, yearround sunshine, and access to world-class amenities.

This page: La Reserva Club, Sotogrande

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TRAVEL // COLLECTIONS

Above: Villa Dorado, Sotogrande Below: The Mercury Pond, Royal Alcazar, Seville

At the destination’s epicentre is La Reserva Club; a one-of-a-kind club with sports, leisure and wellness facilities, including a highly rated championship golf course and Spain’s only man-made beach club, all set atop the hills of Andalusia with views down to the Mediterranean.

The residential offering is not extensive, but this exclusivity is part of the appeal of Sotogrande. The offering includes villas in newly developed gated communities such as The Seven and El Mirador which start at €7m, but also community properties which can be purchased for upwards of €800,000.

All, however, offer the serenity, closeness to nature, low population density and year-round sunshine that have become synonymous with Sotogrande living.

The concept of Sotogrande, and more specifically La Reserve Club and its private gated communities, is to create an experience where those residents can enjoy the very fundamentals of life. That being, the things that really matter to them – family, security, safety, privacy, and access to the desirable amenities that form their recreational habits.

IMAGES © DREAMSTIME/SOTOGRANDE

CLIMATE Málaga, Almería, Granada and Cádiz accounted for 89.5 percent of the Q1 2019 foreign buyers in Andalucía. The reasons aren’t hard to find: though only 600kms of Spain’s Mediterranean mainland coast faces south and that’s all in Andalucía, the province is so much more than a sun-and -sand summer destination.

While much of the Med goes into

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hibernation outside the main summer months, Andalucía’s southern Mediterranean coast offers the mildest winter temperatures on the European mainland.

The nearby Sierra Nevada offers Europe’s most southerly and sunniest ski-resort, just 45 minutes from the coast, and elsewhere in Andalucía are found horse-riding on the coasts and in the sierras, year-round tennis, scuba diving, wind and kite surfing, rockclimbing, hiking, cycling and mountain biking.

But the biggest sport of all is golf – there are 102 golf courses in Andalucía, 47 of those in Málaga province, and seven courses in the Sotogrande area. Valderrama is the most famous, probably the best course in

Europe and one of the best in the world.

Between October and May, while Mediterranean coasts without a thriving golf sector are relatively quiet, and many bars, restaurants and businesses close, more than half million golfers come to the Costa del Sol. And of course the area is also a world entre of culture, famous for the Alhambra in Granada, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Giralda Tower and the old town of Seville. The stunning Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque architecture to be seen in its most important buildings, and the castles, fortresses and monasteries to be found throughout the region, burnish the heritage of this spectacular region. 

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Welcome to Sotogrande, the sun-soaked haven for the elite since the 1960s. Today, Sotogrande S.A is creating a new experience for family living through a selection of gated communities offering privacy and much more than a residence. A country club on your doorstep with state-of-the-art amenities and concierge services to complement Sotogrande’s quality of life.

+34 856 560 922 · lareserva.residencial@sotogrande.com · sotogrande.com

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