A new private dining room in Mayfair will be turned into one of London’s most exclusive galleries after Tracey Emin agreed to create all the art work for the “blank canvas” of its walls.
The Shoreditch-based star of the Young British Artist movement will design and supply the paintings, drawings, bronzes and tapestries, and possibly even the carpet, in the 60-seat room at the 34 restaurant on Grosvenor Square.
The first of the works, three neon installations and a series of 10 “gouache on paper” painted nudes, were placed over the weekend, ahead of an opening party tonight, and many others will follow over the coming year.
The artist is a close friend of 34’s owner, restaurants and clubs tycoon Richard Caring, and previously drew a picture of his alsatian, Roxy, to decorate “doggy bags” for customers after the restaurant opened in November 2011.
Mr Caring said: “The room will constantly be evolving as Tracey adds more art to it throughout the year, whether it is a bronze on the window sill or a painting on the wall, and this makes the Emin Room at 34 a unique dining experience. We have been discussing doing this together for some time and it is amazing to now see the room with the art in it.”
It is thought to be the first time a restaurant has struck an exclusive deal with such a significant artist. Ms Emin, 50, is in Miami preparing for a show of her works in neon. She said in a video prepared for tonight’s launch party: “What Richard and I are going to work on, over a period of a year, is to actually commission and make really special things for the room, upholstery, carpet, individual small bronzes for the window sills.
“Everything will be like a Tracey room but especially made for it ... my favourite thing I think I want to make is definitely a beautiful rug with a drawing on. I will be making things I have never made before — it will be a really exciting creative adventure.”
The Emin Room will have a minimum spend of £3,000 and no booking fee even in the run-up to Christmas.
The restaurant is already one of London’s favourite dining haunts for celebrities and figures such as Bill Clinton, Stella McCartney and Pippa Middleton are regulars.
