PAD, the unofficial sister event to Frieze Art Fair, opened this week for its annual gallery gathering in London's Berkeley Square. This year, the Mayfair location factored in more high design than its antique-heavy preceding years, celebrating an exquisite mix of 20th century and contemporary works.
The usual flurry of clean cream and light wood decorated stands were given a run for their money by interior design dame Rose Uniacke. The London-based gallery displayed Scandinavian furniture including Hans Wegner and Mogens Voltelen's seating against a dramatic blue backdrop and darkened, weathered floors.
Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery presented Wendell Castle’s ergonomic seating, entitled ‘Veiled in a Dream’. Produced in the gallery's new research hub, the bronze furniture reflects the American artist's boldly sculptural vision fused with humour.
French designer Hervé Van der Straeten displayed his new abstract origami furniture pieces, inspired by spaceships and flowers, and German photography gallery Daniel Blau calmed the tone with a display of exhilarating NASA photographs, taken from space missions in the 1960s and 70.
Elsewhere, Gallery Fumi collaborated with I Vassalletti’s Francesco Perini, who divided their set up with an artistic patterned wooden screen that complimented the organic works (which included an LDF favourite in Max Lamb’s 'My Grandfather's Tree' chair).
It was New York’s Friedman Benda gallery who exhibited perhaps the biggest highlight of the show – Paul Cocksedge’s 'Freeze’ desk. The futuristic, metallic model contained a conceptual line up of copper, silver and gold panels on the tabletop; by being quite so reflective, you couldn't help but stare.
New York's Friedman Benda gallery presented one of the biggest highlights of the show: Paul Cocksedge's new 'Freeze' desk
The table features a futuristic line up of metallic panels.
Francis Sultana designed the jungle-meets-salon pop-up restaurant upstairs at PAD.
Carpenters Workshop Gallery hosted the ergonomic works of American artist Wendell Castle
The three large bronze and wooden seating strcutures exemplify Castle's sculptural yet humorous vision.
London's 88 Gallery presented classic pieces by Gio Ponti and Max Ingrand.
The Switzerland-based Galerie von Vertes showcased The White Sieve, by Alexander Calder from 1963.
On show at Galerie BSL was 'Kineticism I', by Charles Kalpakian.
'Sculptural Bronze Stool', by Carol Egan, 2015. C
'Xiangsheng side table', by Design MVW, at Galerie BSL
Gallery Fumi's organic stand presented a wall divider by Francesco Perini from I Vassalletti, as well as Max Lamb's 'My Grandfather's Tree' chair
Germany photography gallery Daniel Blau presented a series of NASA space exploration photographs. Pictured: NASA Apollo 12, Charles Conrad 'Alan Bean,' November 19, 1969.
’Chaise Maurice’, by David/Nicolas.
'Mirror Akimitsu', by Hervé van der Straeten.
INFORMATION
PAD London is on view until 18 October
ADDRESS
PAD
Berkeley Square
London, W1
-
Eleven great things to see at 3 Days of Design 2025The scale and scope of 3 Days of Design has expanded dramatically since its inception 12 years ago. Here, we share our pick of standout exhibitions and events from the upcoming edition (18-20 June 2025)
-
Introducing Wallpaper’s new video series, Work in ProcessIn this series, Wallpaper* discovers the processes by which creative visionaries bring their work to life. First up, we head to the the Fonteyne Studio at the Royal Opera House to meet esteemed ballet dancer William Bracewell
-
Tour architect Paul Schweikher’s house, a Chicago midcentury masterpieceNow hidden in the Chicago suburbs, architect Paul Schweikher's former home and studio is an understated midcentury masterpiece; we explore it, revisiting a story from the Wallpaper* archives, first published in April 2009
-
London calling! Artists celebrate the city at Saatchi YatesLondon has long been an inspiration for both superstar artists and newer talent. Saatchi Yates gathers some of the best
-
Alexandra Metcalf creates an unsettling Victorian world in LondonAlexandra Metcalf turns The Perimeter into a alternate world in exhibition, 'Gaaaaaaasp'
-
Lubaina Himid and Magda Stawarska’s new show at Kettle’s Yard will uncover the missing narratives in everyday life storiesThe artists and partners in life are collaborating on an immersive takeover of Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, in an exhibition that delves into a lost literary legacy
-
Sexual health since 1987: archival LGBTQIA+ posters on show at Studio VoltaireA look back at how grassroots movements emphasised the need for effective sexual health for the LGBTQIA+ community with a host of playful and informative posters, now part of a London exhibition
-
Ten things to see at London Gallery WeekendAs 125 galleries across London take part from 6-8 June 2025, here are ten things not to miss, from David Hockney’s ‘Love’ series to Kayode Ojo’s look at the superficiality of taste
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been up to this weekThis week saw the Wallpaper* team jet-setting to Jordan and New York; those of us left in London had to make do with being transported via the power of music at rooftop bars, live sets and hologram performances
-
See the fruits of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely's creative and romantic union at Hauser & Wirth SomersetAn intimate exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Somerset explores three decades of a creative partnership
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been up to this weekThe Wallpaper* team enjoyed good art, food and drink this week, attending various exhibition openings and unearthing some of the best pasta and cocktails that London has to offer
