‘Home of the Braves’ by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

Marking Frieze, which opens in London, and as part of the annual Art & Design exhibition, we are celebrating ‘Home of the Braves’ by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, artist, fashion designer and close friend of Vivienne Westwood.

Presented at Sketch, across the road from Vivienne Westwood’s 44 Conduit Street boutique, this year’s exhibition, entitled Dreamscapes, takes inspiration from surrealist design, whilst honouring the heritage of No.9 Conduit Street. Curated by Anne-Laure Pingreoun, the exhibition is partnered with London Design Festival and Mayfair Design District and runs until until 10th November.

No. 9 Conduit Street has long-standing ties with the Suffragettes, and on the 17th of July 1869, Dame Fawcett spoke at a public meeting held inside the building calling for the enfranchisement of women. The installation ‘Home of the Braves’ celebrates the pioneering courage and unapologetically fearless spirit of the Suffragettes, and is the creative vision of forward-thinking, prominent artist and fashion designer, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, whose multidisciplinary work spans art, fashion, and design, and is characterised by a limited colour palette of blue, yellow, and red.

In the Entrance Hall, visitors are met by the "Flag Hall," featuring multi-coloured slogan flags that celebrate the unwavering suffragette spirit. The reception area, titled "The Armoury," immerses visitors in the combative and heroic spirit of the suffragettes. The walls are covered with shields, coats of arms, and imaginary weapons.

The final scene, taking over the famous sketch Pods, will be known as the "Epic Room,”. Here, the area has been transformed into a vault and medieval crests adorn each Pod. The references to shields and crests revisit historical codes of chivalry, reminding viewers of the noble bravery of 9 Conduit Street’s previous occupants.

Castelbajac dedicated the exhibition to his close friend, Vivienne Westwood, who was an activist for most of her life and who he believes embodied the soul of the Suffragettes.