Happenings KTW LONDON X THE WICK’s Annual Monday Muse dinner 2022
Sumayya Vally, Eva Langret, Aindrea Emelife and Justine Simmons were among the inspirational women who attended last night’s annual Monday Muse dinner by KTW/ The Wick, celebrating cultural female leaders, game-changers and future thinkers working to initiate positive change in the cultural, visual arts, creative industries and beyond.
The Wick:
The fourth edition of the Monday Muse dinner, which coincides with the week of International Women’s Day, was hosted by KTW and The Wick founder Katy Wickremesinghe in honour of British contemporary artist and The Wick Monday Muse, Annie Morris. The past twelve months Morris and her work has continued to gather critical acclaim with her solo exhibition at Timothy Taylor Gallery as well as a comprehensive solo exhibition, When a Happy Thing Falls at Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Western Gallery which was transformed by a dense selection of Morris’ vibrant, pigmented, sculptures alongside one of the artist’s ‘thread paintings’. The immersive installation reflects the experience and energy of her studio, where the immediacy of her drawn and stitched work is in conversation with sculptures in various stages of creation.
Guests included the Iranian-born, London-based photographer Maryam Eisler, Brandei Estes, Head of Photographs at Sotheby’s, Georgina Cohen, Director Gagosian Gallery and Karon Hepburn, Director of Stephen Friedman Gallery. Also in attendance were Sigrid Kirk, Collector, Philanthropist and Co-Founder of AWITA and Lucie Kitchener, CEO of Masterpiece.
The evening kicked off with champagne and canapés in the newly opened Painter’s Room, which has a backstory rich in art and design. (It is named as a homage to the same space at Claridge’s that was created in the 1930s with murals by renowned artist Mary Lea.)
Conceived by interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan, the Art Deco bar is now decorated with a painted monochrome mural featuring Morris’s cast of whimsical characters and her first ever stained glass piece, Woman with Moon, which is at the heart of the bar. During the evening at Claridge’s guests had an opportunity to hear more from the artist about this unique installation commissioned by owner and collector, Paddy McKillen. ‘We first thought about a tapestry as the centrepiece,’ Morris said to the roomful of guests, ‘but we soon settled on stained glass which was so exciting as I’d never worked in that medium before.’
The design of the installation, featuring Morris’s signature flower woman, is based on a watercolour that she made especially for the Claridge’s commission.
‘All my work stems from drawings,’ Morris added, ‘so I love to do anything that takes you from drawing or painting into something sculptural.’
Annie’s work is about joy. It’s playful and colourful, and even though it was born out of personal sorrow, it seems to touch everyone who comes into contact with it. – Georgina Cohen, Gagosian
Continued:
Drinks were followed by an intimate three-course dinner in Claridge’s private dining room. The setting was spectacular: the table was curated by Maison Margaux with playful spring tulips selected by Rob Van Helden. As for the menus, they were designed especially for the event by Morris in her signature bold hues. Tinkling on the piano could be heard throughout.
The dinner was dedicated to resilience, which was beautifully captured by the British Nigerian Young People’s Laureate for London (2019) Theresa Lola, who recited a commissioned poem, Each Day, to a captivated audience. Upon finishing, the room erupted into a round of applause, with guests praising her talent up and down the table.
Katy Wickremesinghe and Gagosian art dealer Georgina Cohen also said a few thought-provoking words.
Wickremesinghe said: ‘Seeing the heart wrenching upheaval in the Ukraine following a global pandemic, black lives matter and an energetic COP, it feels fitting to bring together some of the people who have kept the bloodline of culture and arts buoyant — and used it as a tool for human connection – at a time when it has been most challenged and diversified through new mediums and technology alongside global change.’
‘This year’s dinner was a celebration of resilience – of consistency and innovation despite difficult times. Those who innovate courageously and continue despite all odds. Not just over the recent years but for the past two decades to me Annie epitomises that resilience. This coupled with her broad and deep artistic practice and commitment – originally stemming from drawing – is what makes her my ultimate muse. I was thrilled she was able to be our guest of honour this year.’
Cohen’s speech was dedicated to the evening’s guest of honour. ‘Annie’s work is about joy. It’s playful and colourful, and even though it was born out of personal sorrow, it seems to touch everyone who comes into contact with it.’ She concluded with the uplifting affirmation: ‘You’re not just my Monday Muses but my forever muses.’
Speeches done, guests tucked into a selection of starters including tuna tartare with lemon, soy, shallot and radish; scallop risotto and truffle sauce; and burrata with heirloom tomatoes and basil. Wine was poured liberally, and excited chatter filled the room.
Up next was a choice of five signature Claridge’s dishes, including Claridge’s chicken pie, Confit aubergine with hummus and Claridge’s Cornish lobster risotto and truffle sauce. When it came to pudding, nearly everyone opted for the ultra indulgent Araguani dark chocolate fondant with coffee ice cream.
This year’s dinner is a celebration of resilience – of consistency and innovation despite difficult times. Those who innovate courageously and continue despite all odds.
Katy Wickremesinghe
Continued:
After dinner, guests were treated to a private tour of the newly opened Vik Muniz show, A Brief History of Art, in Claridge’s ArtSpace. On display until 5 April, with a concurrent exhibition in Ben Brown Fine Arts’ London flagship, it brings gether a selection of work reimagining famous masterpieces from the Early Renaissance through to 21st Century Masters.
Upstairs you’ll come face to face with the striking Belvedere Museum (The Kiss after Klimt) from 2017 and Metachrome (Italian Garden, after Gustav Klimt). Downstairs there’s Muniz’s iconic large-scale triptych The Birth of Venus, after Botticelli (Picture of Junk) from 2008, which was created with recyclables from oil cans, computer keyboards and traffic cones. Also on show is his monumental Monochrome, Pink-Blue-Gold, after Yves Klein (2016).
The Wick is committed to highlighting the human journeys and stories of the art world and cultural space and its mission: to make individuals and businesses more art engaged and responsible as well as demonstrate the power of human connection, business, and education through the arts.
