Art in the Home 2019 - a new way to shop in Sheffield

What started last year with a small exhibition at the Yorkshire Art Space’s Persistence Works gallery in Sheffield has developed into Art in the Home 2019, a fresh concept of displaying contemporary art and design in more accessible and unusual locations.

“Not everybody feels comfortable in a traditional art gallery environment," says Catie Evans of Studio2021, the Sheffield-based 20th Century furniture specialist. “That’s why I was keen to be involved in Art in the Home, which is essentially a selling exhibition of contemporary art and design by local makers presented in furnished room settings. It makes art more approachable and within a context that we can all relate to."

This painting, £800, is by artist Lianne Mellor and the Miroslav Navratil lounge chair, £595, is from Studio2021

The idea has been welcomed by Hathersage-based David Mellor Design, famous for its cutlery, which is keen to emphasise its connections with Sheffield and broaden its patronage of traditional craftsmanship. David Mellor design classics will feature in this year’s touring exhibition, which includes a showcase in the cafe at the David Mellor Design Museum in Hathersage. "It’s a teaser for the main exhibition which will be held at Kommune, Castle House, Sheffield, between November 1 and 10," says Catie.

Kommune is the multi-kitchen eatery and culture venue that has revived the fortunes of the now-listed, 1960s B&C Co-Op department store. Its events space will see Studio2021 stage five different room sets with a mix of 20th Century furniture and design classics as a backdrop for the work of 32 Yorkshire Art Space artists and a number of other contemporary makers represented under the Studio2021 banner. They include furniture makers, silversmiths and metalworkers, jewellers, ceramicists, fine artists and printmakers.

Carla Murdoch ceramics

“We are also pleased to have a series of artists’ workshops during the time we're at Kommune,” says Catie. “From making pots and Christmas tree decorations in ceramic, mixing and producing your own botanical perfume, knitting a crazy cactus or building a beautiful winter wreath — everything’s listed on Eventbrite.”

Janet Wass jewellery with Nomad Atelier dress

From Kommune, the exhibition then moves to Yorkshire Art Space’s Persistence Works gallery for Open Studios weekend, November 16-17, before finally arriving at Rita Britton's fabulous Nomad Atelier store in Barnsley from November 23 onwards.

“Fashion is not isolated from the world of fine art and good design; in fact, it is an integral part of it,” says fashion maven Britton who now puts her own spin on the Japanese avant-garde labels she once championed at her world-renowned Pollyanna boutique, using the finest textiles sourced from Yorkshire, Scotland and Japan. “I have the same shared values as those Yorkshire Art Space artists who will be exhibiting here: an appreciation of the highest quality materials, respect for traditional manufacturing techniques and a love of timeless, intelligent design.

“Together, we also understand the change of mindset that is fast gaining traction: people now want to buy clothes and objects for the home which are beautiful and will last our lifetime, and which can be then passed on to the next generation.”

Jennie Gill pearl earrings

With that Britton picks up a pair of earrings — big juicy baroque pearls that dangle from oxidised silver and diamond tops — by Yorkshire Art Space jeweller Jennie Gill. “I mean, who wants throwaway when you could invest in something as beautiful as these?”

*Art in the Home is on Instagram at @artinthehomesheffield