GARETH NEAL
Photo Petr Krejci
Gareth Neal’s furniture design practice was established in 2002 and is currently located in the creative heart of East London. Neal specialises in the production of unique pieces, which are exclusively designed for individual clients and companies. His practice combines the technical modes of 3D computer drawing and CNC processes, with the intricacy of professional craftsmanship. Gareth’s practice seeks a reconsideration of contemporary furniture design, questioning our perceptions of history and the contemporary, the material and immaterial. The work is positioned at an intersecting point between art, design and craft, evading any simple categorisation into a specific discipline. This innovative approach provides a critical framework for his ideas as the designs develop into new and diverse territory. As hands-on designers and makers, we are fascinated by process, whether that be with traditional tools or the latest computer controlled router. This combined with a fascination of historical techniques and aesthetics roots our design within a specific context with rich narratives and contextual reference points. Good design emanates from a depth of knowledge of the medium, and our ability to reconsider it for a contemporary audience.
While creating one off pieces, we not only push ourselves but also some of the best craftsman in the UK. We love working collaboratively, and this provides a rich stream of inspiration within our practice which has cultivated some of our both humblest and progressive designs. Privately, we like nothing better than a rummage around a car boot sale or junk shop, this in many way has instilled in us a desire to make things that have a longevity and a resistance to fashion, and installed a healthy respect for the environment, and a desire to make sure our objects stand out and shine for all time. -Gareth Neal
George Chest of Drawers, 2013 Ed. 5/10, Ash (L)109 x (D)51 x (H)81 cm ÂŁ26,000 ex. VAT Prices exclude any applicable tax, crating, shipping and installation Lead times are normally 3/4 months + shipping
Photo Petr Krejci
A robotic arm/ 6 axis CNC is programmed to hack into the time and history embedded in a block of oak. An extension of the craftsmans hand and tactile knowledge. Exploring the weaknesses, glitches, fractures, splits and rings of time stored within. Exploiting them to extract a distorted/ altered Georgian archetype for a contemporary world. Carving an artefact, a render that could never have existed until the moment it was hacked. Charred using the ancient and traditional Shou Sugi Ban technique to preserve it for another century.
Photo Petr Krejci
Hack Chair, 2018 Oak 37 w cm x 40 d cm x 97 h cm £15,000 + vat
Photo Petr Krejci
Photo Petr Krejci
In 2014, Terence Conran teamed up with the London Design Festival, Benchmark and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) to present “The Wish List”. Ten leading designers were asked to consider the question: What have you always wanted? For this project, Zaha Hadid was invited to collaborate with, Gareth Neal, commissioning him to create a bespoke design for something Zaha Hadid has always wanted, but never been able to find. Initial designs were created by Gareth Neal, and discussed collaboratively with Zaha Hadid. Over a week long period, two vessel prototypes were created at Benchmark. During the London Design Festival, the pieces were exhibited in the V&A Museum.
Zaha Hadid & Gareth Neal VE-SEL, 2014 American White Oak, Ebonised 44 L x 32 w x 75.5 H cm Ebonised finish 5/12 edition £24,000 ex vat Natural finish 1/12 edition £21,800 ex vat
Zaha Hadid & Gareth Neal VE-SEL, 2014 American White Oak 87.5 L x 30 w x 34 H cm Ebonised finish 2/12 £19,800 ex vat Natural finish 5/12 £21,800 ex vat
Gareth Neal and Zaha Hadid VE-SEL, 2014 Ebonised American White Oak Edition 2/12 87.5 L x 30 w x 34 H cm £19,800 ex. vat
Photo Dan-Medhurst
Photography Photo Petr Krejci Petr Medhurst Dan Krejci
Neal graduated from Buckinghamshire University in 1996 with a BA Honours in Furniture Design and Craftsmanship. His work has received critical acclaim and has featured in numerous publications and exhibitions, both in the UK and internationally. Neal’s work is in the prestigious public collections of the Crafts Council, UK, and Manchester Metropolitan, UK. The artist’s selected exhibitions include, ‘Against the Grain’ at The Museum of Art and Design, New York; ‘Telling Tales’ & ‘Power of Making’ at Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and ‘The State of Things’ at The Design Museum, Holon, Israel. Neal’s work has also been exhibited in Design Miami, Basel; Pavilion of Art and Design, Paris; COLLECT at the Saatchi Gallery, London; S.O.F.A. Chicago, USA; and the Mint Museum, North Carolina, USA. 2018 Gareth continues to redefine high-end craftsmanship in the digital age, working on exciting collaborations, and closely with clients on private commissions 2017 The studios’ work continues to be sold through international galleries and exhibited internationally. As well as taking private commissions for individuals and the general public 2016 The studio’s work is sold through international galleries while being exhibited in museums from Australia to Austria. We are also taking private commissions for individuals and the general public 2015 Commissions from the Glenlivet, production furniture for Heal’s and The New Craftsmen and products for Case 2014 Hampton Court Palace also commissions Gareth to make a throne for the anniversary of George the 1st 2014 We collaborate with Zaha Hadid to create a set of table wear, these turn into highly developed pieces of digital manufacture and are exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and The Design Triennale in Milan, Italy 2013 The studio’s work is celebrated in numerous publications on contemporary design and is constantly on demand by international cultural institutions 2012 The George Chest is acquired by the Victoria &Albert Museum and is now on permanent display in their furniture gallery 2011 We participated in an exhibition at No10 Downing Street demonstrating the best designs in the UK 2010 Commissioned by Vauxhall Motors, we created a picnic and woodland scene using traditional veneers and exhibited them in derelict spaces of East-London. The Urban Picnic project is exhibited at the Victoria &Albert Museum’s most popular public exhibition, the Power of Making and is later acquired by the Crafts Council 2010 The Windsor Chair, made from a bodging greenwood project, is exhibited in Milan. It is sold to the Shipley Museum and the project is featured in their catalogue publication British Design 1948–2012, Innovation in the Modern Age Victoria &Albert 2009 Gareth’s first solo show Made to View fabricated a chest of drawers in the gallery space 2009 The George Chest is shown at the exhibition Telling Tales at the Victoria & Albert Museum. The show demonstrated the emerging design-art scene across Europe with work that pushed the boundaries between disciplines 2008 The George Chest is exhibited during The Collect Art Fair at the Victoria & Albert Museum, 100 percent design and the Milan furniture fair where it captures international interest and intense publicity within the design scene 2007 The design of the Anne Table initiates the experiments surrounding digital fabrication and craftsmanship. This piece is exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum as part of The Collect Art Fair, is sold to the Crafts Council and is now housed in their public collection 2005 Gareth sets up a small workshop in Hackney Wick alongside 2 international artists, Paul Noble and Georgina Star 2001 First international exhibition at Sotheby’s in New York followed by an exhibition at the William Zimmer Gallery in Chicago in 2003 1999 Sotheby’s invites Gareth back and he sells all 3 of the pieces of the work exhibited 1998 Gareth is invited to exhibit at the Bowes Museum alongside Edmund de Wall and Tom Dixon 1997 Exhibition at Sotheby’s in London selling Gareth’s graduation pieces alongside Ron Arad and John Makepeace 1996 Graduated with a BA in Furniture Design & Craftsmanship from Buckinghamshire New University
SARAH MYERSCOUGH GALLERY
Viewings by appointment only Studio 401, Southbank House Black Prince Rd, London SE1 7SJ UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7495 0069 info@sarahmyerscough.com