From 9th December the ground floor of the JW Anderson Soho Flagship store will be transformed into a gallery space featuring paintings by Ivan Kochkarev and ceramics by Akiko Hirai in addition to the brand’s ready to wear and accessories offerings. Entitled “Setting a Hare in the China Shop” the show will include pieces chosen by Founder and Creative Director Jonathan Anderson. 

A mixture of ceramics and porcelain by Akiko Hirai will be available for purchase. Hirai is a ceramicist making decorative artworks and tableware using Japanese pottery techniques to create contemporary ceramics from her studio in Stoke Newington. “I’ve been a fan of Akiko’s work for years and I was honoured when she agreed to work with us. We wanted to do something really special and so we decided on a collection of pieces based on this idea of drinking culture in Soho.” The resulting collection of 25+ pieces is a reference to the nightlife and bacchanalian nature of Soho including one-of-a-kind beer mugs, whiskey and sake cups and tsubo jars and vases. 

“We opened the store back in March with the intention of creating not just a store but a cultural space. Then COVID-19 came and we had to close just a few days after opening,” said Anderson. “We’ve been planning this with Akiko for such a long time. I am thrilled that its finally happening. I think the pieces are absolutely beautiful.” 

Four paintings by Russian-born fine artist and set designer Ivan Kochkarev will be included in the temporary show as well. “Soho Hares,” a series of two oil on canvas paintings by Kochkarev are half the inspiration for the show title “Setting a Hare in the China Shop”. The hares are joined by a second pair of oil on canvas paintings entitled “Squirrel 1” and Squirrel 2”. 

Ceramics, sculpture and art at large have always been at the core of JW Anderson. The brand’s fashion shows, and more recently the JW Anderson shows in a box, have incorporated art and artistic elements that go beyond fashion with works by artists Kate Newby, David Wojnarowicz, Paul Thek, Liz Magor, Lynda Benglis and a host of others. With the Soho art show Anderson takes the next step in sharing his love of ceramics and art by curating a unique offering of pieces for the holiday season. 

Private viewings with the artist(s) will be available on 8th December from 11AM to 5PM and must be booked in advance at JWAnderson.com. Limited availability. The show will officially launch on 9th December and will run through 20th December or until sold-out. 

Ceramics and porcelain photography credit to Beth Evans.