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Have you ever wondered what a modern 'wunderkammer' or cabinet of wonders would look like?
CCaSM Modern and Contemporary are offering islanders the chance to gain a glimpse in a mix of works - old and new, ordinary and extraordinary - in a special exhibition.
Opened in September, the art consultancy firm frequently presents displays to be viewed by appointment in their premises on the first floor of Sommerville House on Philips Street.
'Die Wunderkammer - A Winter Salon' is the second display put together by Chris Clifford and Stephen McCoubrey. The two met over 30 years ago when they were both studying art at Goldsmiths College. Although they went on to have different careers - Chris worked for Sotheby's and as a journalist specialised in arts before opening Jersey's first bespoke fine art consultancy business Private & Public Ltd in 2012, while Steven was the head curator for UBS’s art collections - the two friends kept in touch and decided to launch CCaSM Modern and Contemporary.
Chris Clifford says: "Our aim is to advise clients on buying pieces which will be commercially successful. There is an investment angle and we look for works that will retain their value."
Set in a 1940s warehouse, CCaSM enjoys the use of a double ceiling, which makes for a wonderful setting for an exhibition. Chris explains: "The building had been empty for some time and when we first visited it, it wasn't love at first sight but we saw there was an opportunity there. We made the conscious decision to not be a retail space, which is why the fact it's on the first floor works well.
"Anyone is welcome to come and see the display but it is upon appointment which means that people are already committed to viewing art. Our viewing rooms are supported by the art consultancy business. We don't have a stable of artists but we deal with the top tier of the international art market, it's mostly not local or UK artists but artists who have achieved international success."
Pictured: 'Die Wunderkammer' is a mix of works from different centuries with different styles.
After a first display dedicated to Henri Matisse, the 'Die Wunderkammer' invites art enthusiasts to discover an eclectic miscellaneous of works from the 17th century up to today. Inspired by the cabinets of curiosities, which were the precursors of museums in early Renaissance, the Wunderkammer displays a variety of styles and subjects, from pastoral scenes to a modern reinterpretation of 'The Raft of the Medusa.' The exhibition also includes an invaluable study from Francisco Goya for 'The Spell.'
The door to the cabinet of wonders can be opened until 26 January by contacting Chris Clifford (chris@ccasmart.com). In February, a new display will take place, this one dedicated to Asian art with works from leading artists from China, Japan and India. Chris says: "It is completely different to the Wunderkammer. It is heavily photographic-based and very minimal. It's the typical Asian aesthetic and quite restrained."
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