Summer Reflections

It has been a busy Summer and we felt it was time for a little catch up.

JUNE -  TREASURE HOUSE FAIR

June found us in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, exhibiting for the second consecutive year, at the fourth edition of Treasure House Fair. 

It was at the time of that first heatwave, yet it turned out to be one of the most comfortable and convivial places to be in that blistering London heat. Fully air conditioned and serviced by pop-up bars and restaurants, designed and managed by The Firmdale Hotel Group and their excellent staff. 

The fair seems to have been universally judged to have been “the best yet” and it was certainly well attended, with business conducted and conversations with new clients taking place all round the fair and certainly in the areas near us.

These events take a lot of planning and organisation, like the Duck, we want it to feel calm, whilst still exciting and enjoyable for our visitors, which means we try to keep concealed the mad paddling of stand planning, decoration, lighting, transport and  installation logistics. We start working towards these fairs many months before they open. 

This year we had the added excitement of a long planned collaboration with renowned English contemporary sculptor Alex Chinneck, unveiling and showing “Bangers and Mash”. A significant new work, in the form of a life sized upright piano, fashioned from solid American black walnut, seemingly crushed by a stack of antique books.

We exhibited it as part of the established  Sculpture Walk, curated by Flo Horswell, of Harvey Horswell. The work met with much excitement and appreciation, and was photographed hundreds of times every day. A real show stopper! Classic Chinneck, playful, unlikely, convincing and compelling. 

JULY -  THE YOUNGS’ HEAD TO THE RANCH!

With Crumpette safely settled and happily ensconced at her canine holiday retreat, the Young’s left the heat of London behind, forty eight hours after Treasure House closed and headed for the big skies, mountains and freestone rivers of southern Wyoming.

When there they have no phone signal and strictly limited WiFi access. The days are filled with wildlife, horseback riding, fly fishing, fresh air and sparkling waters. The evenings are filled with joy, friends, convivial meals, casual live music and laughter. A real rest.

Meanwhile, the gallery is still open five days a week and the Duck is still paddling like mad at HQ.

AUGUST

Now Flo finds herself miles away in sunny climes with friends and family, Ilse has just returned from her family trip to France, (happily nowhere near the wild fires!). But “underneath the water” all of us have been developing and preparing innovative initiatives for the Autumn and beyond.

News of these will be shared very soon, and they involve a unique contemporary exhibition at the beginning of October. Researching and creating a new specialist catalogue publication, of a type we have not done before and Robert working on a creative collaboration. Concurrently we have also already begun our planning for the New York Winter Show in January 2027. 

See what I mean about the Duck, paddling like crazy underneath, whilst staying calm on the surface…..

Enjoy the rest of your Summer…..