YBA Patron Frank Cohen Brings His Collection to Fortnum & Mason For Blockbuster New Project
This September, Fortnum & Mason will be opening its doors to one of the most original art events in London when it becomes the temporary home of works from the Frank Cohen Collection, one of the most important collections of Modern British art in private hands.
Fortnum’s X Frank, 13 September 2016 - 15 October 2016, is conceived as a provocative art installation with more than 60 works displayed across the entire store – from the award-winning windows facing the Royal Academy to the wine bar, shop floor and through to the board room.
This unique month-long collaboration takes place as the art establishment from across the world descends on London for the internationally celebrated Frieze Art Fair and continues Fortnum’s long history of supporting art and artists.
Through its connections with the Royal College of Art, the Slade School of Art and the Bloomsbury Group, Fortnum’s has supported generations of artists and designers.
Frank Cohen is one of the world’s most prolific collectors of Modern British art. He began collecting in the 1970s, and in the early 1990s became a patron and supporter of the Young British Artists (YBAs). An exhibition of his private collection was held at Chatsworth in 2012 and he was a member of the Tate’s Turner Prize Jury in 2003. In 2013 he established the Dairy Art Centre in Bloomsbury, an acclaimed new public space for contemporary art.
Fortnum’s X Frank is curated by Robert Upstone, former Director of Modern British Art at the Fine Art Society, which he joined in 2010 from Tate Britain where he was Curator of Modern British Art.
Ewan Venters, Fortnum’s CEO, said: “Across every inch of our store we always aim to captivate our customers and at a time when the contemporary art world is looking to London, we can think of no better way of doing just that than with this innovative collaboration with Frank. Fortnum’s has a long history of supporting art and artists, and we’re thrilled to be continuing that tradition in such a fashion.”
Frank Cohen said: “I am delighted to be collaborating with Fortnum’s on this exciting project. I am very pleased that new audiences will have the opportunity to see works from my collection in such a wonderful setting.”
Image: Ewen Venters and Frank Cohen
