PAD Art & Design London 2023 highlights
It was Frieze last week which means cosmopolitans across the globe were buzzing with Art excitement; galleries were wide open, guest lists were stretched out and drinks were overflowing in London.
I’ve been to a few Art fairs , but it was my first time at PAD (Paris Art & Design which takes place in both Paris and London). And it was phenomenal. If you must visit any one Art Fair, this has got to be it.
Hosted on Berkeley Square, I couldn’t get my head around how the space managed to be home to so many exhibitors. Upon entry you immediately get the feel it is different; it’s post-modern, imaginative and unique. The dark spaces and warm colours are welcoming and exciting. It doesn’t feel like your textbook Art get up, but instead feels as if some real boundaries are being pushed here. There’s also a lot of food for thought when it comes to contemplating on the impact of design; it truly is transformative. What we surround ourselves with can make a huge difference to how we feel when we go to work or come home and everything in between. As proven by the enticing sofas and armchairs which you’d think you shouldn’t sit on but are designed with form and function in mind.
The people who attended the fair were just as riveting as the fair itself. Just as during Fashion week snaps are captured of the best (and most interesting) dressed, there’s a missed opportunity of documenting what Art lovers wear to the fairs (from printed jackets, layered jewellery, embellished kimonos, Celine shoes, Hermès bags right up to the quintessential English and French man in subtle, classic attire). It is also the most international fair I have been to, even surpassing Masterpiece; around every corner there was a language of the world being spoken.
There was much to see and take in and there was very little I didn’t like or wasn’t intrigued by. With exhibitors from all around the world showcasing creative talent, each set up was distinguished, offering a unique perspective on design and how it can be incorporated into daily life and living spaces.
I captured some key highlights which stood out to me below (there are many more on my phone which didn’t quite make the cut). A real taste making treat.