de Waal +
Edmund de Waal took over the Gagosian Shop in London’s historic Burlington Arcade with de Waal +, which brought together recent artworks, treasured objects, and a selection of books curated by the artist.
“I’ve always wanted to take over a bookshop,” de Waal remarks. “I’ve filled it with books, of course. And music and photography, pamphlets recording projects created over the last decade, writing on artists I adore and poetry that sustains me, collaborations with dancers and composers, editions I have made for the British Art Medal Society and for the Victoria & Albert Museum. And I’ve added some pots that I have just made.”
In his interlinked sculptural, writing, and research practices, de Waal studies and utilizes objects as vehicles for human emotion and history. His installations of handmade porcelain vessels, often contained in minimalist structures, investigate themes of diaspora, memory, and materiality.
In addition to working across mediums, de Waal has also collaborated with museums, poets, performers, musicians, and other artists. Offering viewers a glimpse of his varied interests and inspirations, de Waal says, “I hope you come and find a corner to sit and read.”
The shop was open Tuesdays–Saturdays from 10am–6pm, no booking necessary.
Photography: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd. Courtesy Gagosian.
