, 2011 by Wilhelm Sasnal)
David Roberts is one of the most well-known UK art collectors. With an eye for art that includes sculpture, painting and installation, Roberts initially began collecting around 15 years ago, and now owns over 1,800 artworks, most of which are
Who? David Roberts is one of the most well-known UK art collectors. With an eye for art that includes sculpture, painting and installation, Roberts initially began collecting around 15 years ago, and now owns over 1,800 artworks, most of which are contemporary. In 2007, Roberts opened his not-for-profit, self-titled foundation, the David Roberts Art Foundation (DRAF) in Fitzrovia, Central London.
What? This September sees the reopening of DRAF in its new, larger home in Mornington Crescent, North London. Encompassing 12,000 square foot in a 19th century former furniture factory, the inaugural exhibition, curated by the foundation director Vincent Honoré, is entitled A House of Leaves. Using key pieces from the collection by Louise Bourgeois, Gerhard Richter and Pierre Huyghe as a starting point, Honoré has created an exhibition of three parts or "movements", and an epilogue, each of which explores different artistic mediums or genres. Artists from the collection on show in the exhibition include, amongst many others, Tony Cragg, Martin Kippenberger, Charles Avery, Martin Creed and Wilhelm Sasnal. The works in the exhibition will also constantly change throughout the course of the exhibition, adding to the feeling of evolution that is gained as one moves from room to room and medium to medium.
"The works in the exhibition will also constantly change throughout the course of the exhibition, adding to the feeling of evolution as one moves from room to room..."
Why? As well as uncovering previously unseen works from the collection, artists have been commissioned to create special interventions throughout the building, while curators and researchers have been invited to deliver talks and texts. Through this, and the following programme of exhibitions, talks, performances and events, DRAF not only aims to provide a home for Roberts’ growing collection, but also to share the collection with the general public, and to provide the opportunity for audiences to experience diverse and critically curated exhibitions.
A House of Leaves runs until Feburary 23rd 2013.
Text by Siobhan Andrews
