Modernity opens a new Nordic Art and Design exhibition in London
Modernity welcomes visitors to a brand new exhibition in central London, ‘A curation of Nordic Art and Design’ at our showroom on Cavendish Square. Modernity has curated an exhibition with the support of the Swedish Embassy, opening its doors to the public from the 23rd of June. Visitors can explore several rooms over three floors of the beautifully dilapidated mansion that is No.14 Cavendish Square.
“At the Swedish Embassy we want to share the finest Swedish – and Nordic – art and design with the UK. We know that there is a keen interest in our internationally renowned designers, and that we have something to offer. Thanks to Modernity you can now enjoy some of these exquisite examples of 20th century furniture and art in an absolutely wonderful setting at Cavendish Square, central London.” – The Swedish ambassador to the United Kingdom, Torbjörn Sohlström.
“It is really interesting to be showing our own pieces from Nordic artists from the 20th century, alongside iconic furniture, lighting, and textiles from the same era. We are also delighted to display work from artists who are still working, such as David Svensson and Charlotte Birnbaum. After various collaborations with other art galleries, it just feels right to pair our Nordic art collection with Nordic design that already works so well with the architecture of 14 Cavendish Square” says Andrew Duncanson, director and owner of Modernity.
One of the artists that we will be highlighting during this exhibition, is Vivi Calissendorff. She is nothing short of a marvel, the 90-year-old Swedish ceramist still producing works of art well into her eighties, and now deservedly represented in the National Museum, Stockholm. In the early 2010’s she sold her turntable and kiln - but without planning it, she had opened the door to another series of work from the burnt and glazed remains left in her workshop. The collection of pieces on display at the London House of Modernity are a stunning variety of both warm-toned, nature-inspired reliefs, and simple white mounted shapes that appear suspended and alive under the influence of shadow.
“It was only natural to use the magnificent architecture of 14 Cavendish to show our own collection of twentieth century and contemporary Nordic art. We have managed to group works in rooms by each particular artist, with the hope that this will help educate visitors and build a familiarity around the works. One of my personal favourites is Rune Hagberg, who produced ink drawings inspired by calligraphy. These can be viewed on the second floor” says Sebastien Holt, director of Modernity in London.
Modernity opened its London doors in February 2020 to a showroom within a Palladian mansion of 7 000 square feet (650 square meters) in Marylebone filled with the best of Nordic Design: furniture, textiles, lighting and art. For our latest exhibition, we are highlighting in particular Nordic artists from the mid-century modern period to the present day. Presenting a refined selection of twentieth century and contemporary Nordic art. Included are works by Rune Hagberg, Sven Hansson, Harry Booström and David Svensson.
Harry Booström’s abstract compositions from the 1950’s are a visual and geometric marvel, switching from abstract, to concretist and geometric shapes. His compositions achieve both dynamics and movement through this interplay of form and colour – “Mural II”, 1953, is a fantastic example of this. Currently forming part of our collection and exhibition in London, are several of Booström’s most sought-after pieces.
Currently living and working from Malmö, Sweden, David Svensson’s art education began in 1993 at the Academy of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg, and later receiving a Master of Fine Arts from Malmö Art Academy in 2000. He currently has a plethora of major public installations throughout Sweden – his latest series, “Coverings”, is currently exhibited here at the London House of Modernity on the second floor. These simple yet captivating compositions are comprised of old book covers, mounted on canvas, and include “Beyond the Arctic Circle”/ “Great Expectations” / “A Tower Mystery”.
After the events of the past year, the prospect of opening the doors of No.14 Cavendish Square and welcoming visitors to a physical exhibition is thoroughly exciting. The bookings for viewings are now open, if you are not able to pay the exhibition a visit in person, Sebastien Holt is available for consultations via Zoom.
To visit the viewing room for our latest exhibition, please follow this link.
To book a time to visit The London House of Modernity at 14 Cavendish, please follow this link.
