project spotlight
HUŎ Bar & Restaurant
Displaying art in restaurants is a long-standing tradition. In addition to artwork playing an integral role in the overall aesthetic of the space, guests also have the luxury of time to appreciate their surroundings—the perfect circumstances for art viewing. That said, some restaurateurs go above-and-beyond when it comes to showcasing fine art in their properties. Such was the case for HUŎ Bar & Restaurant in London where partners Michael Lim, Graham Rebak, and Adam Wilkie approached Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator and VP of Art Advisory Rebecca Wilson to acquire and install an art collection to amplify the approachable yet inspiring dining experience they set out to create.
To complement the space’s soothing yet aspirational aesthetic expressed through bleached wood and warm lighting, we provided eight photographs by two artists of Asian descent, one from Korea and one local to London. The five photographs from South Korean artist Keun-Ju Park have a unique painterly quality to them. To create the featured works, Keun-Ju crops and manipulates photographs of architectural settings, resulting in minimalist compositions that at once resemble abstract paintings and modernist cityscapes.
The three other featured works in the restaurant are by London-based artist Cody Choi. The contemporary photographer and choreographer is best known for his stunning figurative portraits of dancers in motion. As a dancer himself, Cody is able to masterfully capture the dynamism and passion of his subjects. Working closely with the owner of HUŎ and with the artists, Saatchi Art commissioned the works in custom sizes to fit specific niches and walls, and then delivered them to the restaurant ready to hang.