Inspired by Soane: contemporary creatives raffle off mini masterpieces for London museum

A range of contemporary designers, architects and artists have created postcard-sized works of art inspired by and for Sir John Soane's Museum, London, including Allegra Hicks pictured here

(Image credit: press)

By Sam Rogers

published 27 May 2015

Would you pass up the opportunity to own a mini masterpiece by a contemporary creative genius? Nor would we. Such is the proposition of the latest exhibition at Sir John Soane’s Museum.

‘Inspired by Soane: I Found This and Thought of You (opens in new tab)’ will gather and exhibit postcard-sized artworks from some of the most famous names around; from Zaha Hadid to Ross Lovegrove, Paul Smith, Antony Gormley, Manolo Blanik, Christopher Bailey, and even broadcaster Jon Snow. Most notable perhaps though, is the work of the late American architect Michael Graves, who completed his drawing before his death earlier this year.

The famous artists, architects, designers and cartoonists were all inspired by 100 objects from the museum’s collection - including some pieces that aren’t normally on public display - as well as the iconic building itself. The resulting miniature works of art are now on display at what is widely considered one of London’s best-known secret treasures, and will be raffled off on 26 June.

To enter the raffle, museum-goers can pledge a donation (£350 minimum) for specific works. Each donation (up to the value of £50,000) will be matched by the Leon Levy Foundation. Funds raised will go towards making the museum’s extensive drawing collection more widely accessible to the public by making them digitally available.

The exhibition and raffle coincide with the opening of the private apartments of the museum, following a £7m investment and big conservation and restoration project by London architect Caruso St John and Julian Harrap.

The mini masterpieces will be raffled off at the end of the exhibition. Pictured here: architect Simon Hurst's collage

The contemporary creatives involved in the project range from artist Maggi Hambling, right, to cartoonist Louis Hellman, left

The late American architect Michael Graves completed his drawing before his death earlier this year

Burberry's Christopher Bailey and artist Christopher Oldfield's paintings

Specific works — To enter the raffle, museum-goers can pledge a donation (£350 minimum) for specific works. Pictured here, the work of designer Ross Lovegrove

The Leon Levy Foundation — Each donation (up to the value of £50,000) will be matched by the Leon Levy Foundation. Pictured here, architect Will Alsop's postcard

Broadcaster Jon Snow — Artists Elmgreen & Dragset's mini masterpiece, alongside that of broadcaster Jon Snow

Drawing collection — All funds raised will go towards making the museum’s drawing collection more widely accessible to the public by making them digitally available. Pictured here: architect Ken Shuttleworth's drawing

Opening of the private apartments — The exhibition and raffle coincides with the opening of the private apartments of the famous museum. Pictured here, artist Roberto Ekholm's picture

The miniature works of art, including this work by designer Michael Wolfson, are now on display at what is widely considered one of London’s best-known secret treasures

Collection of objects — Some of the creatives involved were inspired by the museum's extensive collection of objects, like Paul Smith here. Others looked to the building itself to influence their pictures

Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik also created a postcard-sized sketch for the raffle

ADDRESS

Sir John Soane’s Museum
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields,
London
WC2A 3BP

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