The Winter Group Show is now on at Loughran Gallery on Cadogan Gardens throughout the Christmas period; introducing Parisian artists Frédérique Morrel and Corinne Dalle Ore, alongside other represented artists Piers Bourke, Nick Jeffrey, Dale vN Marshall, Dave White and Jessica Zoob.
Initially a roaming gallery existing through energetic bursts of pop-up shows featuring a variety of artists across London and the UK, Loughran Gallery has via a longer residential spell at Belgravia’s Motcomb Street, and now the bright, industrial space of 43 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea, transitioned into a gallery with a defined and established rosta of artists.
The artists selected for the group show have been chosen for the flurry and excitement they bring to the gallery. I had the chance to speak to gallerist Juliette Loughran, as well as artists Piers Bourke and Frédérique Morrel.
Interview with Juliette Loughran
Since 2012 you have presented a series of successful pop-up exhibitions in various locations; how does it feel to be cementing the galleries identity in a vibrant more permanent space?
It’s been fantastic to do so many shows in different locations and i’ve loved every one for completely different reasons. I’d like to think we’ve kept the pop-up vibe even though we have been a little more settled in Motcomb Street and now Cadogan Gardens but I don’t think I can ever give up the roaming element all together….it’s too exciting and I love the spontaneity of it.
The upcoming Winter Group show will include your current dynamic artist roster, as well as introduce two Parisian artists Frédérique Morrel and Corinne Dalle Ore; how long have you been aware of these artists and their work?
I saw Frédérique’s work in New York years ago and instantly fell in love, there’s something so magical about it. I love the idea that these beautiful creatures are coming back to life in the most fairytale of ways. A friend introduced me to Corinne and her work this year and when I saw it, it struck a chord, it’s fun and upbeat – I love the cityscapes and the fact there’s hidden detail in the old newspaper she uses in the collage.
To what extent have the pieces in the show been selected to capture the ‘spirit of the festive season’?
To me, the spirit of the festive season is all about fun, spontaneity and a touch of magic. Each piece that’s in the show has an element of surprise to it – whether it’s a small hidden detail or something that leaves a totally unique impression on you – and with Frédérique’s fantastical creatures, Charlie Barton’s moonscape and Nick Jeffrey’s butterfly masterpieces there’s definitely a magical feel to the works too.
The Winter Group Show is full of surprises and delights this festive season, with one of the highlights of the show being the much anticipated new series of works by Singapore-based artist Piers Bourke – A new spectrum selection of the vibrant telephone box collages, along with the dynamic and humorously titled works A Boy Named Sioux.
How did you become involved in creating art / was there a specific moment that you decided to pursue it as a career?
I don’t think there was a single moment when i decided to pursue it as a career but enough of a drip effect to give me the encouragement to think, yes i can do this….. why not !
Your work is often created using digital prints on wooden panels; when did this combination of traditional and contemporary materials become your favored way of working?
About 5 years ago. It’s a very spontaneous process that allows my work to flow, but at the same time allows for the unforeseen which gives the work character and great mystery.
For the upcoming exhibition you will be exhibiting a selection of the vibrant telephone box collages; how important is it to highlight the beauty and intricacies of everyday objects within your work?
Having moved across the world recently i realised that nostalgia is a huge part of ours lives which is created by familiarity. By stopping to look at everyday objects i appreciate the great significance and relevance these objects have beyond their primary purpose. And by highlighting these intricacies in my work it reminds us not only of the wonderful craft that goes into making them these objects but also why they are so unique to their place of origin.
Hailed by Architectural digest as ‘the world’s most creative collector of vintage tapestries’; Frédérique Morrel is a French artist who creates artefacts from vintage tapestries in an ever-evolving menagerie which has been displayed internationally. Morrell has also collaborated with the design house Hermes for their windows in New York and Miami. For Loughran Gallery’s winter group show, Morrel will be installing a ‘pound’ full of her tapestry creatures along the full length of the gallery, inspired by the pet adoption charity initiative held in Paris every year.
Interview with Frédérique Morrel
How did you become involved in creating art / was there a specific moment that you decided to pursue it as a career?
It’s not a choice. It came naturally to me. It’s a way of living. As the expression goes in France « art de vivre », “The art of living; a way of life”
Hailed by Architectural digest as ‘the world’s most creative collector of vintage tapestries’; when did you decide to use diverse fabrics and textiles in your work?
I decided to use tapestries when my mother went to throw out a giant tapestry made by my grand-mother and I. At this moment I was so speechless – I didn’t say a word. After that, as a sort of redemption, I decided to “rescue” all these tapestries made with love but forgotten by the rest of the world after their owner passed away.
For the upcoming exhibition you will be installing a ‘pound’ full of tapestry creatures throughout the gallery, partly inspired by the pet adoption charity held in Paris every year; can you say more about these works?
All the work starts with the idea of redemption. My work beyond the exhibition is all about helping everything that’s sadly been neglected. My work is also inspired by what’s happening now; at the same time as the exhibition in London, there’s a charity initiative being held for abandoned animals in Paris – hence the ‘pound’ scheme at the gallery.
Fellow Parisian artist, Corinne Dalle Ore has also joined Loughran Gallery for the show. Using bold colours and multiple materials, Dalle Ore captures the essence of our great cities and our modern world, dispelling cliché and injecting humour into her pieces.
Other highlights of the show will include very rare diamond dust editions from Dave White, delicate never-before-seen works on paper from Dale vN Marshall, bold sculptural pieces such as Nick Jeffrey’s butterfly boxes, as well as inspirational paintings by Jessica Zoob.
– Harry Dougall
The Winter Group Exhibition, December 1st for the duration of the Festive Season, Loughran Gallery 43 Cadogan Gardens London SW3 2TB
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