Indrė Šerpytytė
HURS CURATOR
INDRE SERPYTYTE
The artist shares her favorite brands, products and places
Working across photography, painting, sculpture, audio, film and more, it’s hard to box Indre Šerpytyte’s work in. And that’s exactly what we appreciate about it. The Lithuanian artist – who lives and works in London – explores themes of history, memory and culture in her work. Dissecting the impact of war on history and perception, her work explores how these events influence the personal. Her work has been exhibited at renowned museums including MoMa, Tate Modern and the Photographers’ Gallery. But Indrė Šerpytytė’s impeccable taste transcends art. The London-based artist and art collector has become a respected source of inspiration for the best in fashion, design and interiors too.
IT ALL STARTED WITH TWO LOVERS
Hotel Il Pellicano’s history is probably one of the reasons it has been an iconic get-away for decades. In the 1960s glamorous Anglo-American couple Patricia and Michael Graham – an ex-fighter pilot and an American socialite – built the cliffside villa in a secret cove of Monte Argentario in southern Tuscany. The duo’s glamorous friends – from Hollywood royalty to Europe’s high society – frequently visited the property. In 1965 the Tuscan home was transformed into Il Pellicano. Today, Creative Director and CEO of Pellicano Hotels Group Marie-Louise Sciò is at its helm, continuing to celebrate the property's timeless charm and history. The rooms are located in the main villa or a more private cottage. Some have sea views, while others overlook the gardens. Many of those who stay at Il Pelicano admire its atmosphere of understated luxury. From its chic interiors to its on-site restaurants, the team at Il Pelicano has been able to bring the flair of La Dolce Vita to the modern age.
“Hotel Il Pellicano is one of the CHICEST and most beautiful destinations in the world. I first went there over 10 years ago for my honeymoon and since then my husband and I have returned every year. The first thing I do as soon as I arrive is jump in the sea. I feel at home at Pellicano. The owner, Marie Louise Scio has not only become a dear friend but as the creative director has created a wonderful venue for the design, fashion and art worlds.”
“When I enter the building I lose any sense of time. Sir John Soane was one of the foremost architects of his day. A dedicated collector and a Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy. He repurposed his home at Lincoln’s Inn Fields as a Museum for students of architecture. The house and the collection has been preserved as if it was arranged at the time of his death. As you enter the house the whole space seems overcrowded and chaotic. However, each interior has been purposely CURATED and is a work of art in its own right. Soane was constantly arranging and rearranging the collection, not just to incorporate new acquisitions, but to enhance the objects’ poetic qualities. The collection is full of surprises from amazing Egyptian sarcophagus to models of contemporary buildings of the time. It even has a most extraordinarily designed room with double walls to display William Hogarth’s ‘A Rake's Progress.”
AN INTIMATE MUSEUM IN CENTRAL LONDON
There’s something intimate about exploring a person’s life through the objects they leave behind. That’s what makes Sir John Soane’s museum in London – the former home of architect and collector Sir John Soane – a favorite. The museum has been kept as it was at the time of his death in 1837 and displays drawings and architectural models of Soane’s projects as well as a vast collection of furniture, sculptures, antiques, architectural models and paintings he acquired over the years. The museum has been kept as low-key as possible – labels are few, lighting is discrete and only 90 visitors are allowed in at any given time, But we’ll let Indre tell you all about it.
A MODERN SPIN ON OLD WORLD LUXURY
There are few luxury brands who design with the wearer in mind. Leather goods brand Métier takes a different approach. Founder and designer Melissa Morris seamlessly combines craftsmanship and simplicity. With it, she creates pieces that women actually want – and can – wear everyday. Every bag is handcrafted in Italy from materials sourced from the finest tanneries in Europe. The London-based designer spent three years perfecting her process before launching the brand in 2017. Since then Métier has quickly become a go-to for those who prefer to showcase quality over logos. The bags have been spotted on HBO’s hit series Succession and Morris has already opened her first flagship in the heart of Mayfair.
“The Métier store is a TIMELESS gem in the middle of Mayfair. The store is lined with deep red leather, most beautifully teak walnut and finished with a green marbled bar at the back. One can spend hours hanging out and discovering all of the cleverly hidden compartments. The design is as clever as one of Melissa’s handcrafted bags. She has created the most exquisite brand that reminds us that true luxury is in the exceptional attention to detail.”
“My new favorite restaurant is Mount St. Restaurant – it was designed by Studio Laplace and incorporates art, design and architecture. The whole space is full of INCREDIBLE art and many of my friends have created beautiful site-specific works. Rashid Johnson designed the floor, Phyllida Barlow who sadly passed away recently created an incredible ceiling in the Audley Public House downstairs, Anj Smith hand-painted a beautiful mural in the Games Room turret. Every time I’m there I leave inspired and satisfied.”
WHERE THE CULINARY AND ART WORLD MEET
In October of last year Artfarm, the hospitality arm of the art gallery group Hauser & Wirth, opened Mount St. Restaurant in Mayfair, London. The five-storey Victorian building was completely renovated and designed by Studio Laplace, headed by Christophe Comoy and Luis Laplace. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu by Executive Chef Jamie Shears offers a modern twist on London classics. From the Omelette Arnold Bennet to Cornish monkfish. As can be expected, Mount St. Restaurant isn’t just about the food. The restaurant integrates architecture, art and design, while also showcasing site-specific artists’ commissions created by Hauser & Wirth’s roster of renowned artists. The building has been filled with over 200 pieces of art, including works by Andy Warrhol, Henry Matisse and Lucien Freud. Above the restaurant, you'll find an additional four spaces available for private hire, each with their own distinct aesthetic and story
A BRUTALIST BUILDING HOUSING THE BEST IN CULTURE
180 Studios combines art, food, design, fashion, music and wellness all under one roof. The brutalist building has had multiple iterations, and for many years was the center stage of London Fashion Week. A few years ago the building was transformed into a culture hub featuring a network of event and production spaces. Since then, the building has showcased the work of renowned photographers, two Wes Anderson exhibitions and multiple fashion shows. 180 Studios also houses 180 Corner – a restaurant often used as a pop-up restaurant for emerging chefs – and 180 Health Club – a curated space showcasing the best specialists in movement, fitness, mindfulness, beauty and grooming. All spaces are available for private hire.