Art at Pied à Terre

Since Pied à Terre opened its doors to diners 20 years ago, contemporary art has played a major role in defining the character of the restaurant. Artist friends regularly frequent the restaurant, which has built a collection that includes works by Sir Peter Blake, Howard Hodgkin and Richard Hamilton.

In late 2010, Pied à Terre took its commitment to contemporary art one step further and launched a residency programme, Artist in Restaurant. The first of its kind in London, this unique programme offers one emerging artist per year an eight-month residency. The artist is given full access to front of house and behind the scenes and is encouraged to collaborate with the restaurant team. Artist in Restaurant culminates in an exhibition at Pied à Terre, of works created during the residency.

The first Artist in Restaurant was Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, who produced a series of sculptural and installation works made primarily with found materials, sourced from the restaurant kitchens, which included scallop skirts and corals, quail carcasses, and fish skins. A number of the works are now part of Pied à Terre's collection and remain on display throughout the restaurant.

Anna M. R. Freeman has been announced as Pied à Terre's second Artist in Restaurant, and her residency commences in January 2012. We're very much looking forward to welcoming Anna to Pied à Terre and to seeing how her residency develops.