Fortnum's x Frank: Nine Minutes With Fortnum & Mason CEO Ewan Venters
As previously reported by After Nyne, this September sees the start of an extraordinary partnership between art collector Frank Cohen and famed London department store Fortnum & Mason.
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.
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).
After Nyne met with Fortnum's CEO Ewan Venters to discuss the project, Cohen, and his own personal favourite pieces in the new exhibition.
Ewan tell us about the conception of the Fortnum’s X Frank project.
Frank and I met through the writer, Howard Jacobson. Howard thought we should meet; he felt Frank and I would get on well, and he was right. We did. The idea of collaborating on a project in the Piccadilly store developed very quickly from there.
What made Frank Cohen a natural choice for this project?
Frank’s an incredibly inspiring, interesting man in his own right, who just so happens to be the owner of one of the most incredible collections of Modern British Art in the world too, so there was really no other choice to make than Frank. From the earliest meetings we had, Fortnum’s and Frank Cohen seemed like a perfect match.
Why is it important to Fortnum & Mason to be involved in the arts?
Fortnum’s has a long history of supporting art and artists – from the Royal College of Art and the Slade School of Art to the Bloomsbury Group, and so on. Art has always lined the walls at Piccadilly, and we spend a lot of time and effort on making our products look beautiful too. Art and design have always been incredibly important to us, and Fortnum’s X Frank is the latest example of that.
What have been the highlights and difficulties in the progress of the project?
Highlights – seeing the list of incredible works soon to be appearing in store. Difficulties? Narrowing Frank’s collection down to these selected works. Not so much difficult as impossible, actually.
What are your favourite pieces in the Cohen collection?
That’s a little like asking me to choose a favourite hamper – I’m not sure it can be done! I’m certainly excited to see the likes of Tracey Emin, Howard Hodgkin and Frank Auerbach in store, but truthfully, we’re incredibly lucky to have all of the pieces we do. There is so much to discover.
If you could guide viewers to one part of the store and one particular piece of art in this show what would it be?
The work by the Geometry of Fear sculptors on the 1st floor is wonderful – and I think Robert Upstone (curator) has been very playful by putting pieces which deal with existential crises by the homeware products. That said, the real joy of this exhibition lies in finding your own way. The point is to adventure around the store however you see fit.
What would you like viewers to take away from this experience?
Two things: memories of experiencing Modern British art in a completely new setting, and a tea caddy, tall tin or hamper or two. But predominantly the first one. We know this is going to be an amazing experience for everyone who sets foot inside Fortnum’s.
Fortnum's x Frank
Opens Tuesday 13th September
Fortnum & Mason
Piccadilly
IMAGE: (Ewan Venters, left) Tristan Fewings for Getty
