KOKO London - Completed Commission
In the spring of 2022 I was approached by Katie Heller, a London-based art consultant, with an intriguing commission opportunity.
As part of a multi-year renovation of the iconic 19th century Camden nightclub and music venue KOKO, Olly Bengough, KOKO’s Creative Director and Founder, along with curator Katie Heller (formerly of Soho House) began building a contemporary art collection for The House of KOKO, a new members offering created as part of the ambitious refurbishment. Initial works in the collection include carefully curated selections from such established and diverse sources as Bob Dylan and Frank Auerbach.
Following discussions with Olly and Katie, I was asked to contribute two new pieces to the collection. These canvases, which were completed during the spring at my studio in Victoria, BC, were recently hung in one of the member’s lounges of KOKO House following unbelievable shipping issues over the summer which saw my pieces miss the grand opening events. However, they finally arrived after three flights across the Atlantic, and are now installed in their new homes.
I am incredibly honoured to have my work included in this new collection, be part of such a forward-looking arts concept, and in a building designed and decorated by the likes of Archer Humphryes Architects and interior designers Pirajean Lees.
And I look forward to seeing it in person when I’m in London in November following Art Toronto.
MORE ABOUT KOKO
The storied theatre has seen performances by Charlie Chaplin before his Hollywood career, recording of the Goon Show by the BBC, and acts including The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Madonna, Amy Winehouse and Coldplay throughout the years. The newly-expanded music venue and clubhouse are the brainchild of Mr. Bengough who bought the run-down building in 2004 and restored and reopened it as KOKO. The recent massive renovation and re-imagining of the theatre and club includes nine performance spaces, a bespoke dining room, tap bar, pizzeria, roof terraces and multiple member areas.
From an interview with the Financial Times:
“I wanted to make it feel like a movie set,” Bengough confirms. “Adventure is definitely part of it. That’s why it’s taken seven years to make 16 to 20 rooms all connect with a design narrative. It took a lot of thinking about – how could it amaze you, but be done with subtlety and refinement? How could you take people on a journey they might never do in any other part of the world?”
WALLPAPER MAGAZINE ARTICLE HERE
VOGUE UK ARTICLE HERE
DEEZEN ARTICLE HERE
FINANCIAL TIMES ARTICLE HERE
HELLER ARTS INSTAGRAM
KOKO LONDON WEBSITE
VIEW PHOTOS OF THE COMPLETED PROJECT HERE
Two works installed at KOKO - October 2022
SKIPPING A BEAT - 2022
FLIGHPATH OF THE SCARLET BUTTERFLY - 2022