THE new Lotte Inch Gallery opens tomorrow only inches from the previous location in Bootham, York.

After more than three years at number 10, Lotte is launching a bespoke gallery and design space in collaboration with House of Powell Jewellery Design, at number 14, once home to the Storeys Bookshop.

“Together we’re creating a modern showroom and office, from which we can host events and exhibitions, in an exciting new addition to York’s burgeoning cultural scene,” says Lotte.

“We’ve made this decision to enable us to pursue more pop-up and site-specific projects in different and unique spaces, while also carrying out freelance curatorial work in and around York.

York Press:

On the move: Lotte Inch, pictured when opening Lotte Inch Gallery mark one in November 2015

“Though I’m sad to say farewell to the beautiful 10 Bootham, we’re really excited about the future and the prospect of working on more contemporary and unusual projects, alongside our usual in-house exhibitions.”

The new venture, named simply Fourteen [Art|Design|Jewellery], begins with the aptly named exhibition Art. Meets. Design: a showcase of artist-designed posters from the celebrated likes of David Hockney, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and more.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s launch, Lotte says: “Making my new home here, alongside my old school friend and jewellery designer James Powell, of House of Powell Jewellery, I hope this light, fresh, airy space will offer a chance to exhibit a new selection of artists and ceramicists in a welcoming and comfortable setting, whilst providing a creative environment in which to share and develop more adventurous ideas and projects.

“Art. Meets. Design is the first in a planned series of exhibitions in the space, setting the bar high for an impressive selection of artists and makers to follow later in the year.

York Press:

New venture: James Powell Jewellery sets up  home at 14, Bootham

"This particular show is also an important marker for this new chapter in the life of Lotte Inch Gallery, wonderfully siting artists within a design context – much as the space itself does with James Powell now a permanent resident at the new address."

Many of the leading 20th century artists enjoyed designing their own exhibition posters, often in the form of original lithographs printed by some of the great Parisian print ateliers, such as the Mourlot Frères studio, says Lotte.

"Produced in the 1950s and 1960s, during a golden age of graphic design when the ‘ad-man’ was king, artists’ posters encapsulate an aesthetic that feels as alive and relevant today as it did when they were first issued, and the locating of these within the new gallery space on Bootham illustrates this with flair," she adds.

York Press:

Poster power: The Sculpture Of Matisse, part of the Art. Meets. Design debut show at new Lotte Inch Gallery at Fourteen

"It also brings to York an array of impressive names from the 20th century art-history canon, offering these for sale alongside a selection of contemporary studio ceramics. Works by Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Raoul Dufy, Bernard Buffet, Joan Miro, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall and David Hockney will all be on display."

Alongside this new show, House of Powell Jewellery, newly set up in its first official premises, will showcase a series of designs, awards and working drawings for the bespoke commissions in which James specialises.

Fourteen [Art|Design|Jewellery] launches tomorrow evening with a preview from 5pm to 8pm, with wine supplied by Hotel du Vin and Bistro York.

Art. Meets. Design, hosted by Lotte Inch Gallery, runs from tomorrow to May 25. Gallery opening hours will be Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, or by appointment on 01904 848660.

“Already scheduled into the diary for 2019 is an exhibition with ceramicist Chris Keenan in the autumn, with lots more projects and great names in the pipeline before then,” says Lotte.