How to celebrate the art of fragrance? Penhaligon’s turns their King’s Road store into an exhibition space
Penhaligon’s has long championed the arts, writes Jo Fairley – and now they’re taking things further, giving over half of their refurbed King’s Road store to an exhibition titled ‘The Things Between Us’
The artists showcased at the refurbed boutique near Sloane Square will change every six months. PHOTOS: Jo Fairley
It’s a bold move for a fragrance store to give over half their shelf space to exhibiting paintings and objects, rather than perfume bottles. But that has become the focus in Penhaligon’s King’s Road boutique, which recently got a gorgeous new look, echoing the feel of its Regent Street flagship.
Part fragrant playground, part curated gallery, The Things Between Us is its inaugural installation’ The show explores our emotional connection to the objects that live with us every day – how they gather memories, meaning and intimacy over time, mirroring the way a perfume becomes part of someone’s personal story.
On a massive scale, Anne Athena’s striking vase (with a Penhaligon’s Potion, for scale!)
By partnering with the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, this beloved British name is aligning its scented heritage with contemporary craft. The installation definitely underlines the brand’s laudable commitment to artistry, British eccentricity – which we love about them. It explores the idea of fragrance as a form of living design rather than mere product – and it certainly makes for an intriguing environment to shop in. (And yes, the art works are for sale, although deep pockets are required.) The thinking? The Things Between Us confirms Penhaligon’s as a modern fragrance house that champions makers and creativity, as much as it does its own truly fabled scent heritage.
The works showcased will change every few months, but these are the names featured in this splendid first show…
Anne Athena created the ceramics – showstopping heads and the massive vase, pictured right. They’re autobiographical, symbolic ceramic works exploring psychology, spirituality and our unseen inner worlds – and we were captivated.
Tom Vaughan’s console table dominates the King’s Road window, from an artist who creates functional yet sculptural furniture and objects. Just so, so tactile. (Even though we’re pretty sure touching is probably discouraged.)
London-based embroidery artist Kamilah Ahmed has created textile pieces for the show, which set out to blur the lines between garment and artwork. (You’ll want to get up close and personal to look at these, is our hunch.)
A closer look at Tom Vaughan’s table
Not forgetting the art of fragrance itself, Penhaligon’s-style
A sliver of a textile by Kamilah Ahmed
The works shown will change in August, but can meanwhile be admired as you stop, pause, sniff – and enjoy one of the most unusual installations that we’ve ever encountered, in a perfume boutique. But with the world of craft and art booming (not to mention the fragrance explosion that’s happening), it chimes with our longing to connect with real objects, real people – and of course, scent – as an antidote to our screen lives.
25 King’s Road, London SW3 4RP