A pine sculptor's table, industrial workmen's coats and a lone figure suspended from the ceiling have been installed at London boutique Hostem by designers Faye and Erica Toogood (+ slideshow).
Faye and Erica Toogood transformed the mezzanine floor of Hostem's Shoreditch boutique into a studio space for a range of clothing, furniture and homewares.
"Toogood celebrates the individual/worker and craftsmanship in everything we do," Faye Toogood told Dezeen.
"The sculptor's atelier is essentially a further delve into this trade, an invite/intrusion into this domain and the workings of an atelier much like our own. Surrounded by our inspirations, works in progress, creative processes and objects of desire," she added.
A sculptor's table made from 150 year-old pine beams splattered with white paint, forms the centrepiece to the atelier. Miniature objects including a cast bronze pattern of a hat, concrete bowls, books and other small vessels were created by Toogood as one-off pieces representing a sculptor's inspirations and creative process.
"Cutaway sections highlight the rich strata of paint that coat its surface in uneven drips and spatters, representing the accumulated layers of a bohemian life filled with artistic experimentation," explained Toogood.
Aluminium chairs are positioned around the edges of the table, while the sculpted form of an idealised worker made from a mixture of polystyrene and jesmonite is suspended from the double-height section of ceiling beside the staircase.
Bulky, industrial-style coats hang from painted steel screens, named after trades including the milkman, the oilrigger and the roadsweeper. Each coat has the corresponding initials of the tradesperson printed on the inside label.
A hand-painted canvas worker's manifesto hangs from the side wall while a steel light with a concrete base is positioned in the corner of the room.
A shaggy cream rug is slung over the railings of the mezzanine balcony.
Studio Toogood is in residence at Hostem's Redchurch Street store for six months from May.
Here's some information about the residency from Hostem:
Hostem artist in residence | Toogood
HOSTEM invites TOOGOOD to take up residence in the recently expanded Shoreditch store for 6 months from early May.
The mezzanine floor at Hostem will be transformed into a studio space that evokes a bohemian artist's atelier, reflecting Faye Toogood's recurrent interest in both tactile, sculptural forms and the honest labour of traditional craftsmanship.
The centrepiece of the installation is a sculptor’s table fashioned from 150-year-old pine beams, spattered with paint and arrayed with miniatures that represent the sculptor’s inspirations and creative processes; a suspended large scale form of an idealised worker unites the worlds of art and industry.
Everything within the space – demarcated by a series of caged rails – will be available to buy. This includes the full range of coats for Hostem from Toogood, the outerwear label by sister duo Faye and Erica Toogood, accouterments of the sculptor's studio comprising both furniture and designs by Faye Toogood, and her signature Spade chairs in aluminium.
During the residency, a programme of specially curated events will be scheduled in the Toogood atelier.
Artist in Residence is at Hostem, 41-43 Redchurch Street, London E2 from May 10th 2014.
Photography is by Hostem.