The Modern House presents: Drawing Room, by Rich Stapleton
drawing room
noun:
abbreviation of ‘withdrawing room’, a space in a home to receive and welcome guests
The Modern House is delighted to announce the opening of Drawing Room, a new photography exhibition featuring modern homes in England, shot by Rich Stapleton. From Nigel Slater’s London townhouse to John Pawson’s Oxfordshire retreat, as well as landmark modernist homes, Rich’s atmospheric depiction of each place will be on display from 10 to 22 October at The Cold Press – which, fittingly, occupies a sensitively refurbished 18th-century house in Spitalfields, east London. Here’s why the project, our first gallery exhibition and a photography book, is one we’re proud to present – and book your tickets here. Plus, watch our film for an exclusive preview.
Drawing Room originated from conversations about The Modern House’s five principles of a well-designed home: space, light, materials, nature and decoration. Rich shares our ideals on the elements that make a home, so collaborating with him was a natural decision. “We have long admired Rich’s eye,” says Charlie Monaghan, our Head of Editorial and Brand. “He makes images with a sensitivity to light and shadow, texture, patina, nature and the beauty of objects; all things we have long championed as valuable parts of any living space at The Modern House.”
Rich’s vision has been developed through years of constant travel, refined by the need to focus perception in new and ever-changing environments; his practice is driven by a deeply human instinct to seek out the presence of natural beauty in his surroundings. He also already had a personal connection with many of the people whose homes we’ve featured, allowing him to closely observe and capture both the charm of these places and the private lives that inhabit them. For instance, the series started at Home Farm, the Cotswolds house of John Pawson, and “John wrote the forward to my first book, PALM (2017),” Rich explains.
Over three years, a body of work has grown that explores our principles in some of the country’s most thoughtfully-designed spaces. Nigel Slater’s London townhouse and Isabel Ettedgui’s Tudor cottage in Petersham are complemented by seminal modernist homes, such as Ernö Goldfinger’s 2 Willow Road in Hampstead. As for the exhibition’s name? “Drawing Room references both the physical room in a house, and the visual translation of spaces through photographs,” says Rich. “Whilst a drawing room is no longer a formal part of a modern interior, the idea of a drawing room, a space that would be used to welcome a guest into a home, is central to this project.”
Alongside Rich’s photographs, original ceramic pieces by his friend, Nancy Kwon, will also be on display. The Los Angeles-based artist has made a series of works, including painted tiles and small sculptures, that respond to the architectural and historical context of The Cold Press. “When Rich asked if I would be interested in creating a few pieces for this exhibition, I was drawn to the idea of making something that responded to the gallery itself as a living and breathing part of it,” she says. “There is a sense of intimacy in the gallery because it has been a home and living space with traces of former inhabitants.”
To coincide with Drawing Room, we’re also excited to announce the release of a new photography book featuring images from the exhibition, which you can shop by clicking the link below. But we would love for you to come and see it for yourselves. To visit, please RSVP here and note that The Cold Press is by appointment only.
Each 30-minute appointment is dedicated to one group of up to six people. This means if you book for one person, you will be the only person to experience Drawing Room at that time, ensuring a beautiful and personal experience of the space, while respecting the fabric of the building.
