The Story

The scene is set inside Argyll House, (opposite) one of the oldest houses in Chelsea, and captures a mid 1700s party in full swing. People are dressed in traditional clothing as you might expect, and are dancing and drinking. This mural, entitled
“The Gathering”, captures the joyous moment of freedom within an indulgent party atmosphere which reflects the positivity available during this uncertain and strange time.

The painting aims to evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation amongst viewers. As those passing by are caught up in the celebrations. As many can't celebrate Christmas and New Year in the same way they usually might, this painting will spark a delight to the senses and comfort those that may be unsettled and or experiencing ‘winter blues’.

“I want the piece to emit a certain warmth during these cold winter months we embark on and bring a smile upon people’s faces. The scene will be set in the dance hall with a check tiled floor and champagne bottles popping left right and centre.”

Lee Kay-Barry
Artist

Giacomo Leoni - architect who built Argyll House

Giacomo Leoni was an Italian architect, born in Venice and heavily influenced by the Florence Renaissance tradition, in particular the work of Leon Alberti.  He arrived in London via Germany around 1714 at 28 years and his fresh, clean style with a hint of baroque, previously unseen in England, immediately brought him to artist acclaim. He published a translation of collections on the Palladio architecture traditions, via these illustrations, he was responsible for disseminating the essence of this style into the British design vocabulary.

Leoni frequently used red brick, his designs crossed large country houses, memorials, churches and London mansions. In 1723, he built Argyll House, 211 Kings Road, for John Perrin - (later it was named after the Duke of Argyll who lived there 1769).

Interestingly, the notes he published about the house design on page 5 under the title of "A little, country house," include the following description of Argyll House - "Upon the King's Road between Chelsea and London this little House of my Invention was built for Mr. John Pierene. The Kitchen, Buttery and other offices are within the Basement. The Apartments are of a size, suitable to a private Family. The Door in Front is Doric, with two columns and two half Pilasters. The ornaments of the Windows are all of Stone, as is also the great Cornice; the rest is gray Brick, which in my opinion sorting extremely well with white Stone, makes a beautiful Harmony of Colours. At the further End of the Garden behind the House, into which you descend from a small Terrass, are the Stables and Coach-houses, with Lodgings for Servants. The Front towards the Road has a Courtyard, enclosed with an Iron Palisade."

Remarkably the house has been left untouched and true to its original build - the design is utterly distinguished in every way and continues to garner attention and intrigue from passersby and tourists peering behind those wrought iron gates.

Insight into Sibyl Colefax and the times

A pioneering and dynamic figure in the early 20th century, Sibyl Colefax was a woman ahead of her time: creative, cultured, passionate and ambitious. From a peripatetic upbringing between England and India, in 1901 she married patent lawyer, Sir Arthur Colefax, and they set up home at Argyll House, Chelsea. After losing much of their wealth in the Wall Street Crash (1929), Colefax refused to be downtrodden and used her skill and tastes in interior design to form her own decoration company, Sibyl Colefax. After a few successful commissions, she bought the decorating division of the antiques dealer, Stair and Andrew of Bruton Street, Mayfair; 9 years later partnering with John Fowler (renowned for painting Chinese style wallpaper and marbling techniques) to form Colefax & Fowler (as it is still known) - and today the longest established interior decorator firm in Great Britain.

Her approach to design is more relevant now than ever: 'The greatest mistake in the world is to believe that so-called good taste is any use without a sense of comfort to complete it.'

Whilst establishing her design prowess and visual eye, Colefax turned Argyll House into the epicentre of the great 20th century arts and literature scene, hosting intimate gatherings taken from the Italian and French tradition of the 'salon.' A gregarious and charming woman, colourfully and stylishly dressed, Colefax attracted the greatest luminaries of the time wanting to take part in these salon parties as a way 'to exchange ideas'. Regulars included Virginia Woolf, Fred Astaire, Noël Coward and Winston Churchill. Photographer Cecil Beaton noted: 'From the moment one arrived in the small panelled hall and savoured the aroma of dried rosemary burnt on a saucer, one knew one had arrived in a completely different atmosphere, refreshing as a sea change.'

The last party of Sibyl Colefax that can be traced was 1936 where it was rumoured Wallis Simpson met Edward VIII (who later abdicated for her).

Whilst the imminent World War saw an end to these types of decadent occasions, Sibyl Colefax was an empowered woman whom continued to rally for community spirit during challenging times. It is in testament to her and her indomitable spirit that we have created 'The Gathering' on the King’s Road, Chelsea this ( most unusual) Christmas 2020.

Thanks to Siân Evans author of Queen Bees - for her insight into Sibyl Colefax and the times.

Salons

Dictionary definition (history): a regular social gathering, especially of writers and artists, at the house of a woman prominent in society.

Salon was an Italian invention dating back to the 16th century, whereby intimate gatherings in courts became more enlightened with a cultured, engaging hostess such as Isabella D'Este (the first known one.) French society adopted the term; they flourished over the 17th and 18th century, following the poet Horace and his definition of poetry, 'to please and educate.' Salons in this traditional format ran well into the 1920s as a place 'to exchange ideas', focusing mainly on conversations around literature and art and involving Italian muses such as Luisa Casati, whilst London continued this concept of 'gathering' but largely inside homes and also including political debate.

One of the most successful 'salon' gatherings happened in Chelsea; Argyll House hosted by the gregarious Sibyl Colefax, whose vibrant parties included an eclectic mix of the greatest luminaries of the 20th century from Virginia Woolf, Cecil Beaton, Fred Astaire to Winston Churchill.

Salons as a way to host faded in the 1950s but have enjoyed a resurgence today in a time of community and creative collaboration. Today the idea and format might be reconstructed in private members clubs, restaurants, hotels or art spaces focusing on a particular topic or art form but the charm and flourish of these intimate gatherings still remains.

About the Artist

Lee Kay-Barry is an abstract expressionist painter based in central London who grew up in Chelsea. Having graduated in Fine Art at the University of Leeds, he has since exhibited internationally and collaborated with esteemed institutions such as Royal Academy of Arts and managed artist residencies in London. He also specialises in graphic design and videography.

Advent Calendar

An advent calendar, by set designer Victoria Tunstall @victoria_tunstall, will be decorating the connected window space. This will be traditional, insofar as it will start on 1st December and finish on Christmas morning.

Thank you to Victoria’s team member Flora who walks along King’s Road each day to reveal the new day. We hope you enjoy discovering each new object as much as we have enjoyed placing them

Each day, a door will be opened to reveal an object. View the object and its details each day by clicking the numbers below.

For more information on the mural project and to apply to get involved click here.

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