Through the Wormhole: Andy Jacobs re-imagines furniture for a new London show with printmaker Paul Catherall

Dark wooden furniture on wooden floor and frames on the wall
A new exhibition at Bankside Gallery brings together contemporary furniture by Wormhole Design's Andy Jacobs with artworks by printmaker Paul Catherall. Photography: David Burton
(Image credit: David Burton)

Furniture designer Andy Jacobs, of Wormhole Design, has teamed up with printmaker and former Wallpaper* cover artist Paul Catherall to take Londoners ‘Through the Wormhole’ for an intriguing new exhibition at London's Bankside Gallery. Catherall’s prints - bold depictions of the city’s architectural landmarks - form the evocative backdrop to Jacobs’ angular pieces, which draw inspiration from musical culture and the digital world.
 
The gallery serves as the home of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers; the concept behind the show was to select one of its members to fill the walls for Jacob's first major show and infuse the space with a sense of ‘liveability’ and homeliness, adding a twist to the exhibit. ‘After our first meeting we realised that the prints and furniture could work together very well,’ explains Catherall. ‘Andy provided me with images of the pieces to be shown and I went through my prints to filter out sympathetic shapes and compositions.’

Indeed, Jacobs’ futuristic handcrafted wood pieces (with ultra-contemporary monikers to match, such as ‘Autonomic’ and ‘Stealth’) form a lively counterpoint to Catherall’s striking artworks. 'We both appreciate angular design so it wasn't difficult,' says Catherall on the curatorial process. 'Silhouette is important to both of us so it became quite a natural process "matching up" my works and his.’ There’s a captivating visual dialogue that threads these two bodies of work together – both designers successfully re-imagine the future in their craft - making this show well worth a visit.

Wooden framed coffee table with glass top and other furniture in background

Catherall’s linocuts - often bold depictions of London's architectural landmarks - form the evocative backdrop to Jacobs’ angular pieces, which draw inspiration from musical culture and the digital world. Photography: David Burton

(Image credit: David Burton)

Dark wooden coffee table and other furniture around

The gallery serves as the home of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers; the concept behind the show was to select one of its members to fill the walls for Jacob's first major show and infuse the space with a sense of ‘liveability’ and homeliness, adding a twist to the exhibit. Photography: David Burton

(Image credit: David Burton)

Abstract art work in blue, white, grey and beige

'A Vision', by Paul Catherall, 2013, commissioned by Faber for Simon Armitage Broadside

(Image credit: TBC)

Two light wooden side tables

'Stealth v2.0' side tables, by Andy Jacobs

(Image credit: TBC)

Abstract art work resembling city and cranes

'Red Cranes Cranes and City II', by Paul Catherall, 2013, commissioned by Pinsent Masons

(Image credit: TBC)

Interior design showing abstract art work framed on wall

‘After our first meeting we realised that the prints and furniture could work together very well,’ explains Catherall. ‘Andy provided me with images of the pieces to be shown and I went through my prints to filter out sympathetic shapes and compositions.’ Photography: David Burton

(Image credit: David Burton)

Wooden computer table to left, dryer to right

From left: 'Manta' computer table, and 'Prologue' decanter dryer, both by Andy Jacobs

(Image credit: TBC)

Art work resembling a city and cranes

'Grey Cranes and City', by Paul Catherall, 2013, commissioned by Pinsent Masons

(Image credit: TBC)

Dark wooden coffee table and framed artwork on wall behind

Jacobs’ futuristic handcrafted wood pieces (complete with ultra-contemporary monikers to match) form an intriguing counterpoint to Catherall’s striking artworks. 'We both appreciate angular design,' says Catherall. Photography: David Burton

(Image credit: David Burton)

ADDRESS

Bankside Gallery
48 Hopton Street
London SE21 9LH

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