It’s only been a few months since Zaha Hadid’s untimely passing. Tributes have been appearing thick and fast, in the form of articles and shows, such as the architect’s recent retrospective in Venice during the 2016 Architecture Biennale. Francis Sultana, CEO of David Gill Gallery, Zaha Hadid Architects and Zaha Hadid Design are also paying respect – back in Hadid’s chosen home town, London – launching a special exhibition in memory of the late, great architect that opens at the Masterpiece art, antiques and design fair today.
'Zaha always talked about there being 360 degrees, and so she always approached her work in that manner,' says Sultana, explaining Hadid’s holistic and multidisciplinary approach, which is well represented in this show. 'It was almost like she had deconstructed an understood principle and then re-configured it but entirely through her own set of rules.' Looking at much loved pieces, as well as the architect’s more playful side, the show, called 'Commemorative Salon', salutes the architect’s ‘unique vision’.
In this spirit, the displays span Hadid’s breadth of work, which is especially fitting within the context of this fair, known for its ‘cross-collecting’ nature, uniting different disciplines and styles: the old and the new, the modern and the classic.
The homage includes sketches and paintings (three large ones from 1989–1991 are on show), to models, magazines, accessories and even some of the architect’s favourite objects. Displays also comprise jewellery and fashion pieces, such as her 2006 'Icone' bag for Louis Vuitton and the recent 'Vortexx Ring', designed in 2015.
The show includes sketches and paintings (three large ones from 1989–1991 are on show), to models, magazines, accessories and even some of the architect’s favourite objects. Pictured: Leicester Square
London 2066, another of Hadid's famous paintings
The architect's 'Icone' bag for Louis Vuitton was designed in 2006
Hadid's work also spans jewellery, such as this 'Lamellae Cuff' for Georg Jensen
The 'Vortexx Ring' is one of Hadid's most recent creations, released in 2015
The architect's more playful side emerged via some of her fashion work, such as the 'Nova' shoe for United Nude
Meanwhile, product design work includes the 'Liquid Glacial' series, from which this coffee table is drawn
This ethereal bowl also belongs to the 'Liquid Glacial' series of objects
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Masterpiece London website and the Zaha Hadid Architects website
ADDRESS
Masterpiece London
South Grounds
The Royal Hospital Chelsea
London, SW3 4LW
-
Here’s how Heathrow is reimagining airport chaos as ambient musicGrammy-nominated Jordan Rakei turns travel noise into a meditative soundtrack by sampling everything from baggage belts to jet engines
-
Wallpaper* checks into Gansevoort Meatpacking, an art-filled hotel that mirrors the district’s glow-upThis sharp, stylish New York hotel is a fixture in its neighbourhood, where boutiques, restaurants and clubs have long since taken over spaces once occupied by slaughterhouses
-
Glenn Martens’ thrilling Maison Margiela debut was a balancing act between past, present and futureThe Belgian designer made his debut for the house last night with a collection that looked towards medieval decoration for a new expression of opulence
-
Design beyond humans: a new exhibition argues that the world doesn’t revolve around us‘More Than Human’ at London's Design Museum (until 5 October 2025) asks what happens when design focuses on the perspectives and needs of other species, from bees to seaweed
-
‘100 Years, 60 Designers, 1 Future’: 1882 Ltd plate auction supports ceramic craftThe ceramics brand’s founder Emily Johnson asked 60 artists, designers, musicians and architects – from John Pawson to Robbie Williams – to design plates, which will be auctioned to fund the next generation of craftspeople
-
‘Disabled people have always been here’: a new V&A show centres on disability in designCurator Natalie Kane takes us through five key exhibits from the London show, where design points the way to a more inclusive society
-
Malta’s London Design Biennale installation ‘reclaims death as a moment of reflection, not fear’Wallpaper* speaks with Andrew Borg Wirth, curator of Malta's installation, ‘URNA’, which reimagines cremation rituals
-
11 things that caught our eye at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025The Wallpaper* team bring you highlights from London’s Clerkenwell Design Week (20-22 May) – from public installations to product launches and a biscuit bar
-
‘R for Repair’ at London Design Festival displays broken objects, re-formedIn the second half of a two-part exhibition and as part of London Design Festival 2022, ‘R for Repair’ at the V&A displays broken objects, re-formed
-
‘Finding quality through the act of making’: Pearson Lloyd celebrates 25 years of designPearson Lloyd’s show ‘Change Making’ reflects on past designs from its archives, showcasing the influences on and evolution of the studio, from furniture design to the NHS
-
Tom Dixon marks his studio's 20 years with a show of design experimentsMushroom, cork, steel coral and more: Tom Dixon showcases an overview of his design experiments as he celebrates his practice's 20 years
