The C&TH Guide To PAD London Culture / 2 weeks ago

October is a big month for the London design scene. Curators, collectors and art enthusiasts aplenty descend on the city not only for Frieze, but for PAD London: the capital’s leading fair for 20th-century and contemporary design, and collectible jewellery. Returning this year for its 15th edition, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

PAD London 2023

What Is PAD London?

PAD London is one of London’s premier design fairs, held annually and dedicated to 20th-century and contemporary design, and collectible jewellery. It was founded in 1997 in Paris by Parisian antique dealer Patrick Perrin, with the first London edition running ten years later in Hanover Square. Moving to Berkeley Square in 2016, galleries travel from across the world to showcase their wares here; this year, more than 60 galleries will come to London for PAD.

‘Following the successful 25th edition of PAD Paris, I am delighted to present the 15th anniversary edition of PAD London, marking a significant milestone in the fair’s history,’ says founder and CEO Patrick Perrin. ‘Over the course of fifteen years, our dedicated efforts have transformed PAD London – the only design fair in the UK – into the popular and vibrant platform it is today: a place of boundless inspiration, dedicated to creativity, quality, learning and discovery for all.’

Ultimately, PAD is designed to inspire collectors, art consultants, museum experts and interior designers – but if you don’t fall into any of these categories, it’s also just a lovely place to browse.

What To See In 2023

Newcomers

Of 62 exhibitors at PAD London 2023, 13 are newcomers, including:

  • Contemporary Design: Galerie Philia (Switzerland, Mexico, US, Singapore), Objects With Narratives (Switzerland, Belgium), Æquõ (India), Secret Gallery (France), Ormond Editions (Switzerland)
  • Glass & Ceramics: Gallery LVS & Craft (Korea), Florian Daguet-Bresson (France), Raphaella Riboux-Seydoux (France)
  • 20th Century Design: JCRD Design (UK), GDJ Design / New Hope Gallery (Belgium), Unforget (Belgium)
  • Collectible Jewellery: Elie Top (France)

Highlights

New Works

A number of cutting-edge contemporary designers and artists will be showcasing their latest works at PAD London 2023, including:

  • Florence Louisy (Æquõ)
  • Pao Hui Kao (Spazio Nobile)
  • KRJST Studio (Galerie Scène Ouverte)
  • Flavie Audi (Nilufar Gallery)
  • Fango Studio, Gyuhan Lee and Charlotte Kingsnorth (SIDE Gallery)
  • Vezzini and Chen, Kate Malone and Junko Mori (Atelier Adrian Sassoon)
  • Domingos Tótora (Sarah Myerscough Gallery)

Plus, new collections by the following artists will be unveiled:

  • Vikram Goyal (Nilufar)
  • Sabine Marcelis (SIDE Gallery)
  • Max Lamb (Gallery FUMI)
(un-)controlled

This duo exhibition will pair Mircea Anghel’s gravity-defying wooden furniture with Vladimir Slavov’s dazzling bronze lighting pieces, curated by new exhibitor Objects With Narratives.

Gravity and Grace

Stop by Gravity and Grace to see a specially curated booth of brand-new onyx works by eight international designers and artists – including Studiopepe, Pietro Franceschini and Andres Monnier – by new exhibitor Galerie Philia.

New Commissions

A range of exclusive works created especially for PAD London 2023 will also be displayed, including:

  • Gallery FUMI: Light Entanglements by Stine Bidstrup, a chandelier featuring elegant hand-blown clusters of glass.
  • Carpenters Workshop Gallery: Tree, a monumental light sculpture by Nacho Carbonell; and a stone and dyed steel desk by Wonmin Park.
  • Galerie Scène Ouverte: Onde, a leather ceiling lamp by Caroline Venet.
  • Galerie Maria Wettergren: A unique handblown glass artwork with natural stone by Camilla Moberg.
  • Sarah Myerscough Gallery: Peter Marigold and Gareth Neal’s latest creations, revolutionising the use of wood.
  • Maison Parisienne: Pierre Renart’s first dining room table entirely crafted in wood.

Where?

Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1

When?

10-15 October 2023

How?

Adult tickets are £25 each, Student tickets are £10, and children under 15 years of age go free. padesignart.com