Natuzzi celebrate 50th with leather art
2 October 2009Natuzzi, Italy’s largest furniture company and a world leader in leather upholstery are celebrating their 50th anniversary with an exhibition exploring the use of leather. Currently taking place at their flagship store on Finchley Road, London as part of the London Design Festival, the exhibition sees the brand collaborate with five London based artists for the first time.
Each artist has produced a distinctive new piece of work incorporating Natuzzi leather, which demonstrates the beauty and adaptability of this high quality material.
The following five artists are collaborating with Natuzzi on this exciting project and represent the five decades of Natuzzi:
- Maria-Ines Aguirre - painter
- Catherine Hammerton - designer-maker (Cockpit Arts)
- Thomas de Hoghton - photographer
- Lata Upadhyaya - sculptor and visual artist
- Katherine Wardropper - 3D textile designer (Cockpit Arts)
The design projects are all unique and visitors to the Natuzzi store can expect to see an inspiring collection of work. It includes textured wallpaper from Catherine Hammerton and bold canvases combining oil paints and leather by Maria-Ines Aguirre. Lata Upadhyaya has created a dramatic sculpture, while Katherine Wardropper showcases her unique 3D textile technique with a stunning leather wall hanging. Finally, photographer Thomas de Hoghton has reproduced his striking floral imagery by printing onto leather.
The exhibition will run throughout the London Design Festival until October 9 at the Finchley Road store. The designs will be donated to Italian charity ‘Il Circolo’ who will host an event and auction at the Natuzzi store to raise funds for a scholarship programme. The scholarship will support designers and artists who wish to undertake a cultural exchange between the UK and Italy.
