Everything that went down at Babington Art Fayre

The last of our summer-long celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Babington House took place over the weekend, as we hosted our first-ever Art Fayre at the UK country retreat, with beautiful weather to match the works on display.

Members and their guests had exclusive access to specially commissioned editions and original pieces by David Shrigley, Mary McCartney, Sue Webster, and more. Naturally, this assembly was curated by the person who knows what Soho House art-lovers want, our Global Director of Art, Kate Bryan. After the event she told us, ‘Nothing gives me more pleasure than sharing the Soho House art collection with our members. It was an opportunity to both buy and make art, talk about what it takes to be an artist, and celebrate the fact that over the course of the past 25 years a well-respected art community has grown around Babington House.’

The exhibiting artists present throughout the day included Jessica Albarn, Danny Augustine, Charming Baker, Venetia Berry, Adam Bridgland, Morag Caister, Lindsey Mendick for Quench Gallery, Gommie, Lucy Gough, Josip Grgić, Curtis Holder, Eliza Hopewell, Sarah Maple, Polly Ruffman, Gina Soden, Lucy Sparrow, Amy Stephens, and Theo Vass. 

And just for us, David Shrigley has released an exclusive new edition called ‘The Dam Will Not Build Itself’, which Soho House members can purchase with 20% off from Jealous Gallery when you share your membership number via email.

And just for us, David Shrigley has released an exclusive new edition called ‘The Dam Will Not Build Itself’, which Soho House members can purchase with 20% off from Jealous Gallery when you share your membership number via email. 

Everyone also enjoyed Jealous Gallery’s Art Fete, complete with a tombola, raffle and games. Plus, Soho Visionaries, powered by Porsche, hosted two workshops in the Log Room: printmaking with Bridgland and painting with Berry. Elsewhere, we marked 25 years of Babington House by unveiling a site-specific permanent sculpture in the grounds by Stephens. And over on the lawn, the poet-artist Gommie gave a spoken word performance to finish the day.

With the fayre taking place on one of the hottest weekends of the year, the barbecue was the perfect feast. The sun-soaked crowd tucked into a choice of pork belly, steak, trout and squid straight from the grill, accompanied by a salad selection. To wash it down, there was an array of drinks to choose from – Moët & Chandon served a menu of cocktails and its signature Impérial Brut by the glass. There were also gin-based options by Bombay Sapphire, including an artist’s choice special, the Babington House Fashioned made from basil-infused Bombay Sapphire gin and basil syrup. And for the whisky lovers, east London’s Bauhaus-inspired bar, 🔶🟥🔵 , known as A Bar with Shapes For a Name, mixed a selection of drinks with Woodford Reserve whisky. 

Members also enjoyed portrait sittings with Holder, Caister and Grgić, courtesy of Bombay Sapphire, and listened to talks by Sue Webster, Mary McCartney and Charming Baker, plus one by Kate Bryan called ‘everything you always wanted to know about buying art’.

Explore Babington House and apply for membership.