The Estorick Collection (Islington, London, UK) opens 2026 with the UK’s first solo exhibition dedicated to Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019), one of post-war Italy’s most creative and influential designers and architects. Bringing together around 50 key works – from furniture and drawings to paintings, rugs and design objects – the show celebrates Mendini’s playful and poetic approach to design across his extraordinary career and through his iconic collaborations with companies such as Alessi and Swatch.
Born in Milan, Mendini worked with figures like Robert Venturi and Ettore Sottsass in addition to editing Casabella, Domus and Modo (which he founded), becoming a central voice in postmodernism – his work being defined by its wit and exuberance, and by a broad spectrum of artistic references that shaped his unique approach to design.
The exhibition includes rugs, furniture, ceramic figures, paintings.
A truly wonderful exhibition. We are lucky that the Estorick Collection of Italian Art is our local gallery here in Islington, London, UK.