Where and When
On Monday 30th May I had the pleasure of attending The Masterpiece Marie Curie Party at the Masterpiece Art and Antiques Fair, located on the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea. I always look forward to visiting the fair because of the diversity of pieces for sale and the history behind them, they each have a story to tell.
For sale were museum-quality art, antiques, jewellery and a whole host of exclusive designs covering different eras, a collectors paradise. Each item at the fair was individually vetted by 26 committees of independent experts and specialists to guarantee authenticity.
Mid Summer Party
This years Masterpiece Marie Curie Party was supported by watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre. For the second year Marie Curie Cancer Care was selected as the beneficiary of funds raised at the party.
Ambassador Heather Krezner hosted the Champagne, cocktail and canapé reception and greeted guests who included David and Catherine Bailey, Tina Cobley and her husband Oliver Wheeler, Clive Owen, Monica Lewinsky, Princess Beatrice of York, Kirstie Alsop, Rachel Hunter, John Caudwell, Amanda Eliasch and celebrity photographer Richard Young to name only a few of the celebrities who attended.
The general public were invited to attend too and paid £95 per ticket to this prestigious event. There was the option to purchase luxury goods and experiences in the silent auction, including a painting lesson with Ronnie Wood, all proceeds to the chosen charity. There was also a raffle to win a brand new MINI convertible and an exclusive pair of fine earrings by Niquesa Fine Jewellers, at only £20 per ticket, a bargain for the lucky winners.
After the drinks reception the celebrities were privately entertained to a dinner and auction which raised in excess of £900,00 for Marie Curie Cancer Care that depends on events like this to fund their nursing care. It was so lovely to see so many of the nurses and staff from the charity at the event, and the local Chelsea Pensioners too.
My Photographs
I photographed the atmosphere which was buzzing, as well as the guests, there was a lot going on which really set the party scene from a graceful ballerina to Robin Harris' London Dixie and Jazz Bands and snippets of wonderful characters through time from Gideon Reeling.
I particularly like going to visit Long Sharp Gallery this Indianapolis based gallery features works from Picasso and Andy Warhol to Pop with a huge variety of innovative art too.
I was introduced to The Masterpiece Fair by my clients Chris Jowitt and Ray Russell from WW.Warner who specialise in 18th and 19th century porcelain. I have had the privilege of photographing their exclusive pieces for the BADA catalogues and always look forward to seeing what I'm going to photograph next. For example a Worcester porcelain lobed dessert plate (as shown) hand painted at the London atelier of James Giles . Circa 1768-70, at nearly 250 years old it's a strange feeling working with such fine quality that has withstood the test of time.
Photographed in my studio using Nikon's 24mm-120mm lens and one soft box to light the subject, I find it picks up the fine detail synonymous with art of this era, propped against a neutral grey background, the perfect contrast. The artwork shows a traveller on horseback with his dog at his side. Post production on these images ensure the colour reproduction is as accurate as possible.
This was a wonderful evening enjoyed by so many to raise funds so needed to support Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Thanks for reading, my next newsletter will be in two weeks time about the Oxted Beer Festival.
Bye for now.
Stella