Gallery Libby Sellers inaugrates new London space with works by Formafantasma

Formafantasma at Gallery Libby Sellers, London — Former Design Museum curator Libby Sellers has finally launched a permanent gallery space on Berners Street in London. Her first exhibit is by Eindhoven-based designers Formafantasma and features the duo's acclaimed ceramics

(Image credit: Press)

Once upon a time admirers of Libby Sellers were made to follow her, like 1990s ravers, to temporary locations across London, where she would hold exhibitions featuring Europe's most progressive designers. She championed Stuart Haygarth, Moritz Waldemeyer and Julia Lohmann at her Exhibition Road location during the 2007 London Design Festival; and last year she hosted Fabien Cappello's recycled-wood Christmas Tree Project in Hyde Park Corner before - poof - disappearing once again.

This month, however, the former Design Museum curator is finally settling down, in a permanent space on London's Berners Street. Her inaugural exhibitions continue her provocative tradition. Until 8 October she will devote a swath of the new space to Formafantasma, a duo of Eindhoven-based Italian designers who explore the complex cultural relationship between southern Italy and colonial Africa.

'It is the perfect show to open with,' says Sellers, 'because it sets the benchmark for what I hope my forthcoming exhibitions will be able to do - reveal beautifully made but very political and social work carrying a deep narrative and many layers.' Formafantasma's Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin will show not only their acclaimed ceramics series but also their mounted mohair textiles, each depicting a different Italian colony in Africa.

Sellers also invites Belgian gallerist Caroline Van Hoek to guest-curate Woods, the work of 21 jewellery artists designed exclusively in wood. The buffed-wood beads beautifully echo the heritage theme of the Formafantasma show, yet they seem appropriately up to date for a 2011 London Design Festival.

Gallery Libby Sellers inaugrates new London space with works by Formafantasma — Formafantasma's Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, both Italian born, explore the relationship between southern Italy and colonial Africa in their work

ADDRESS

Gallery Libby Sellers
Ground Floor
41-42 Berners Street
London W1

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Based in London, Ellen Himelfarb travels widely for her reports on architecture and design. Her words appear in The Times, The Telegraph, The World of Interiors, and The Globe and Mail in her native Canada. She has worked with Wallpaper* since 2006.