Gallery Libby Sellers is pleased to present an exhibition of new lighting commissions by Italian-born, London-based glass designer Paola Petrobelli.

After a varied career, including time spent as a molecular biologist and a champion in international motor racing, Petrobelli settled into glassmaking in the 1990s. Working with the same Murano glassmaker since the beginning, Petrobelli has developed a portfolio characterised by strict formal qualities that accentuate the architectural nature of her colourful glassware. Eschewing the purely decorative, Petrobelli favours the functional in her work, believing that restraint in approach allows for a pure and sophisticated expression. As she has said of her work, “Glass is a beautiful material that lends itself to organic shapes and lots of colour. I try to restrain myself so the shape can be more interesting, more disciplined.”

This new body of work, titled ‘24’ and commissioned by the Gallery, follows a similarly architectural agenda as it cites Meccano - the modular construction system - as inspiration. Moulded geometric forms were rigorously conceived to stack one above each other. Just like the Meccano bricks, each layer of one stacked glass lamp - be it a floor based or ceiling pendant lamp - can be reordered and swapped to create innumerable different forms and colourways.

Specialising in glass works for private commissions and collectors, Petrobelli has also created works for Wallpaper* magazine’s Handmade collection and luxury hospitality clients such as the Club at the Ivy in London. The presentation at Gallery Libby Sellers is timed to coincide with Collect, the annual International Fair for Contemporary Objects at the Saatchi Gallery, London Gallery Libby Sellers was launched in 2007 to support and develop progressive and critical design in a gallery context. Working with some of Europe’s most engaging designers, including Fabien Cappello, Formafantasma, Simon Hasan, Peter Marigold and M/M (Paris), the gallery has since produced a wealth of unique and editioned works as presented through exhibitions and site-specific installations internationally.

Libby Sellers Gallery
41 - 42 Berners Street
London W1T 3NB United Kingdom
Ph. +44 (0)20 33848785
gallery@libbysellers.com
www.libbysellers.com

Opening hours
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Saturday from 11am to 4pm

Opening hours after June 7
Tuesday - Friday from 11am to 6pm
Saturday by appointment