Two major international artists turn London restaurant into a work of art

Two prominent international art personalities, British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare (London, 1962) and French-Iranian architect and designer India Mahdavi (Tehran, 1962) have transformed the Gallery restaurant of London’s famous Sketch townhouse into a work of art, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of what has now become one of London’s temples of gastronomy, being a tea room, a restaurant, a cocktail lounge, and at the same time also an art gallery, all in a modernized 19th-century building. The collaboration with Shonibare and Mahdavi marks a new chapter in Sketch’s relationship with art, since in the past the London venue has benefited from the work of artists such as David Shrigley and Martin Creed, both of whom, moreover, are Turner Prize winners.

For the operation, Mahdavi handled the interior design, while Shonibare was responsible for the decoration. Gallery now features sun-yellow interiors and 14 site-specific works created by Yinka Shonibare in the style that has made him internationally famous and celebrates African culture and heritage. Titled Modern Magic, Shonibare’s installation features four hand-carved and hand-painted wooden masks and ten framed quilts that replicate African masks from Pablo Picasso’s collection.

Using appliqué and embroidery techniques on richly colored fabrics, Shonibare wanted to focus on the influence African traditions have had onmodern European art. The masks lining the walls of Gallery are replicas of those originally used by African peoples for ritual purposes: early 20th-century Western artists were inspired by the spiritual powers of these objects. Shonibare returns to this spiritual power to transform Sketch into what he calls a “third myth,” that is, a magical world in which cultural exchange can occur freely. The African spirit thus reinvents figures typical of classical culture, such as the centaur, as humans and animal forms collide to disrupt order and hierarchy.

Shonibare’s new artworks in his Dutch wax batik motif will look at diners seated inside a large copper-colored room designed by Mahdavi. Mahdavi, celebrated for his use of color, chose copper-colored wallpaper for the walls and sunny yellow fabrics to complete Sketch’s latest commission. As a result, the Gallery restaurant will be bathed in golden light and will feature new custom-made tables with a minimalist design in copper tones. These will sit alongside one-of-a-kind pieces designed by African artisans at Mahdavi’s invitation, including Senegalese textiles produced by textile designer Aissa Dione, while handmade wall sconces have been designed by Inès Bressand, who works with weavers in Ghana, and the ceiling will take on a Mandarine au Lait hue, a color created by India Mahdavi herself.

“After Matisse first showed African art to Picasso,” comments Yinka Shonibare, “the history of modern art changed. Picasso was interested in appropriating another culture, and I also appropriate European ethnic art. Cultural appropriation can be a two-way street. This collaboration with sketch has given me the opportunity to expand my creative process, creating a different environment to meet and experience my art in a fun and relaxed environment.”

“Sketch’s Gallery restaurant,” says India Mahdavi, on the other hand, “has been connected to the color pink for so long that it was very difficult for me to overcome this success. Yinka’s artwork was a real inspiration and enticed me to work differently in this new version of the Gallery. Now textures will transcend colors with metallic copper wallpaper, textured fabric by Aissa Dione, and woven wall lamps by Inès Bressand. These are elements that have allowed me to extend Yinka’s artistic exploration of culture and identity and bring a warm African vibe to the space and furniture.”

“I was very afraid to change the pink saòa since David Shrigley is part of Sketch,” said Mourad Mazouz, owner of Sketch. “Then I was introduced to Yinka Shonibare and I thought, my God, the master himself wanted to work with Sketch. It was like I was dreaming. Yinka’s work is really powerful, intelligent and mythical, and I am happy to share it with Sketch visitors from all over the world.”

The collaboration also invested other areas of the restaurant: in honor of Yinka Shonibare, chef Pierre Gagnaire created “Yinka Rice,” a West African Jollof rice dish scented with ginger and cumin and served with spicy tomato, soy sauce, and plantain. Bar manager Luca Fugazza, on the other hand, came up with “Yinka Zobo,” a cocktail of dark rum, pineapple liqueur, lime juice, honey syrup, ginger beer, and Zobo, a typical drink from some African countries that is made from the hibiscus flower and reminds Shonibare of his childhood.

Pictured is an image of the new Gallery restaurant designed by Shonibare and Mahdavi.

Two major international artists turn London restaurant into a work of art

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