East Meets West

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, launches East Meets West, a new exhibition from 2 until 11 November 2017, in association with Asian Art in London.

Attracting top designers, architects, international collectors, dealers and style-seekers, the curated exhibition will create a dialogue between tradition and progress; history and the future, East and West, promoting London as a centre of expertise for the finest Asian art.

For centuries, Eastern style has caught the imagination of the West. The East Meets West selling exhibition takes visitors on a journey revealing how it still casts an influence today, showcasing treasures from contemporary Asian artists juxtaposed with rare antique artifacts from the past.

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour’s famous architecture provides the perfect backdrop for a stunning aerial installation encapsulating the theme of East meets West. A colourful selection of innovative works by a host of Chinese contemporary artists, represented by ArtChina, working in mixed media, modern ceramics, landscape painting and folding prints merge convention and contemporaneity, craft and fine art.

Antiques Young Guns, a group of antiques professionals under 40, has been charged to show authentic Asian antiques in an entirely new way. With works from The Japanese Gallery, members and supporters, this specially curated space encourages visitors to explore how Asian artworks have influenced design tradition in the West. Using a broad sweep of decorative influences -from tea sets and scientific instruments to Samurai armoury, exquisite porcelain and paintings – it also shows the timeless appeal of the Eastern aesthetic. Design principles based on symmetry, balance and contrast place equal emphasis on the uses of colour, form and materials. For millennia, these elements have been the essence of establishing harmony within the interior.

An impressive roster of contemporary Japanese artists, represented by Kamal Bakhshi, make their way into the spotlight next. A dynamic range of works from colourful murals to abstract woodcuts and block prints reflect the eternal co-existence of traditional techniques and modernity in Eastern creativity. On a more subtle level, they reveal how contemporary Asian design owes much to an understanding of nature and the importance of spirituality.

Immersive experiences include talks, demonstrations, workshops and discovery tours, exploring the crossover between East and West. Masters of their craft showcase techniques, skills and ingenuity up close. Sessions that speak to both cultures bring a connection in an increasingly cosmopolitan world.

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a leading platform for a broad spectrum of creative disciplines in the capital. Best known as a world-leading destination for excellence in luxury interiors, it supports expression across the design agenda, making it a natural home for this exhibition. The East Meets West exhibition is a participant in Asian Art in London, a globally recognised event that promotes Asian art across the capital.

Claire German, managing director of Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, said, "Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is an international hub, known for its impeccable design credentials, luxury brands and world-class talent. As a centre of international design expression, we’re delighted to present such a multi-dimensional exhibition focusing on the culture and creativity of the Far East. We’re curating it in a truly immersive and innovative way.”

Dates: 2 until 11 November. Free entry.

Opening times: 10am –  5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Weekends: 10am – 5pm (Saturday 4th), 10am – 4pm (Sunday 5th) and 10am – 5pm (Saturday 11th) of November.

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