Hal Messel

 

 

The renowned English interior design firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler has a long-established history of commissioning bespoke design works from the United Kingdom’s finest craftspeople.

For close to a century now, the company’s esteemed designers have been working with exceptionally talented names in craft and the arts, giving birth to a broad range of unique items for the houses of private clients.

During London Craft Week 2017 the new Pimlico Road showroom will exhibit the striking silverwork of Hal Messel.

An English silversmith and artist, Messel trained in traditional Huguenot silversmith techniques, which he now applies to create highly imaginative silverware and sculptures.

Originally educated in fine art painting, Messel left London’s City and Guilds school to explore silver as a medium.  Fascinated by its possibilities, he was trained for seven years by Steve Wager, an Asprey’s silversmith of 25 years in conjunction with the celebrated silversmith, Jocelyn Burton.  Under the auspices of the Goldsmiths’ Company, he received an award for his outstanding technical ability.

When he set up under his own name, the artist renovated a Queen Anne chapel as his workshop, a peaceful studio in Gloucestershire where he now brings his commissions to life.

Messel is a passionate believer in maintaining and encouraging traditional skills across different craft mediums and practices. He incorporates many techniques into his work and in particular often collaborates with glass casters Jackson Fawkes.  A commissioned piece of his work is now on permanent display at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

As well as his work for interior design firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, Messel has received notable private commissions from the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, the Annenbergs in the USA, Lady Sykes commemorating her time as the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire, Sir Nicholas and Lady Mander, Sir Claude Hankes KCVO, and from numerous European and American interior designers.

In addition to his creative partnerships in the UK he regularly collaborates with one of Europe’s oldest silver firms Leitão e Irmão, in Lisbon, with which he is presently working on a collection of tableware and on large private projects.

Alongside a selection of Messel’s prized final works, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler will exhibit working drawings, expressive sketches and photographs of the artist’s studio, plus several examples of work-in-progress sculptures at various stages of origination.