BIID Supports Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair

The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is delighted to announce that it will be supporting this year’s Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair (18 - 28 June 2015, Olympia Exhibition Centre, London). As part of the event’s prestigious talks programme, the Institute will present a guest lecture on Wednesday 24 June at 4pm, featuring Past President of the BIID, Christopher Vane Percy in conversation with his daughter, the acclaimed photographer, Grace Vane Percy and the renowned historian Jeremy Musson.     

The lecture, Art and the Interior Aesthetic: An Analysis of Display in the English Stately Home, will assess the relationship between the grand country houses and the art, textiles and sculpture they showcase. It will explore how the owner’s own education, experience and fascination with classical themes of fertility, love and the divine can manifest itself in the design and decoration of the stately home through the ages.

Former President of both the International Interior Design Association (UK Chapter) and the BIID, Christopher Vane Percy is a well-respected figure in the interior design industry currently listed in House & Garden’s top 100 leading interior designers. After starting his career with Asprey, London, Christopher formed CVP Designs in 1971 and has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge in consolidating and re-ordering fine art and furniture collections for some of England’s most important country houses.

Grace Vane Percy’s recently published book Venus draws from the classical tradition of the nude in art history, with portraits of ordinary, extraordinary women seeking to explore the naked female figure in the country house setting and to celebrate femininity and beauty in all forms. 

Jeremy Musson, historian, author and broadcaster will host the conversation. For the past twenty years, Jeremy has focused on the history and design of the English country house. As Architectural Editor of Country Life in 1998-2007, and presenter of BBC2’s The Curious House Guest in 2006-2007, he has written widely on both history and contemporary architecture including English Country House Interiors, How to Read a Country House and many more.

“We are once again delighted to support the Olympia International Art and Antiques Fair,” says BIID President Daniel Hopwood. “As one of the largest and most established marketplaces for art and antiques, it is an important destination and source of inspiration for many BIID members. We invite all designers to join us for what we’re sure will be a fascinating lecture followed immediately by a BIID hosted drinks reception.”

The Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair is an important date for designers. The event attracts a variety of collectors and enthusiasts, including many famous names. BIID members receive complimentary tickets to attend this event and for further visitor information please visit www.olympia-art-antiques.com.