Fredrikson Stallard. Armchair ‘King Bonk’, 2008

From 15 September until 19 October, at David Gill’s primary space in Loughborough Street, SE11 the exhibition will feature Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard’s latest design, the King Bonk chair and footstool. The shape of this sculptural piece with its reflective finish was derived from tying up upholstery foam with string, and named after the biggest marble in the school playground. The original full-size form was carved with a chainsaw in polystyrene. “It took us a year to find the perfect curves, and we did that by hand,” says Ian Stallard. “This piece has never been anywhere near a computer.”

The limited edition collection will be on show at the gallery throughout the festival. The chair is available in four paint colours, which were created by Bentley: black/green, black/cobalt blue, black/gold and black/violet. The exhibition promises to offer up a dramatic play of light, colour and reflection. More work by Fredrikson Stallard will be on show at David Gill’s Fulham Road gallery.

Patrik Fredrikson and Ian Stallard established their design partnership in 2003 and have since become internationally recognised as leading exponents of British experimental design. Their work is based on lengthy explorations into materials – latex, foam, metal – but always with highly aestheticised and surprising results. The King Bonk is no exception, though this time the piece, made in fibreglass, represents an exploration into form. In 2005, their move to a 3000 sq/ft live/work space in a former carpet factory in East London acted as the prelude to the most dynamic period in their career to date.

Their cutting edge, conceptually rigorous work is highly regarded by the cognoscenti, sought after by discerning collectors, and has been acquired by the French National Art Collection. They have worked with some of the leading names in contemporary design, including Swarovski, Droog Design, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, MoMA, Paul Smith, Tools Galerie, Thorsten Van Elten and The Conran Shop. Fredrikson Stallard’s first limited edition pieces, produced by David Gill, were launched at Art Basel Miami Beach 2006.

Fredrikson Stallard have exhibited widely in London, Milan, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Basel and Miami, in the Tank at the Design Museum and in Pearl Lam’s Contrasts and Contradictions show in Shanghai. Their work is given extensive coverage in press and in print, and has featured in publications including The International Design Yearbook, The Furniture Machine by Gareth Williams, 21st Century design by Marcus Fairs, The New York Times, Art & Auction, The Times, The Independent, The Saturday Telegraph magazine, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Wallpaper*, Art Review, Icon, Blueprint, ID and Intramuros.

In January 2006, Fredrikson Stallard were awarded a Fellowship to the Arts Foundation for Furniture Design. The distinction of the award was further added to by the calibre of the judges: Amanda Levete (Future Systems), Marcus Fairs (founder of Icon magazine) and Ralph Ball (Professor of Design at Central St Martins College and the Royal college of Art).

During the London Design Festival, an outdoor installation by Fredrikson Stallard – ‘Portrait’ – will also be on show at Somerset House, London WC2. This is the first Veuve Clicquot Design Commission for the London Design Festival. A single piece of wood, magnified to 8 x 4 x 0.5 metres, has been recreated in Corten steel. Internally lit, at night the grain appears as fine illuminated lines. It will be on the riverside terrace at Somerset House for the duration of this year’s festival.

David Gill Galleries, 3 Loughborough Street London SE11 5RB - +44 (0)20 7793 1100