MICHAL KORMAN: The Rendezvous for an Innocent Walk

London—In the culminating exhibition of a year-long collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai-based Pearl Lam Galleries and Mayfair restaurant sketch, three brand-new paintings by Paris-based Slovakian artist Michal Korman will be showcased throughout the entrance hall of sketch from 9 January to 9 March. This partnership has provided a platform for artworks from the gallery’s international roster to be shown in the UK, fostering cross-cultural exchange and underscoring how both food and art play a central role in creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections. 

The exhibition presents a series of interconnected scenes exploring French gardens and interiors associated with the legacy of Marie Antoinette, framed as though viewed from behind a French window. These works weave together themes of love, memory, and tranquility, each tied to an eighteenth-century French garden. The interplay between interior and exterior scenes creates a dialogue, with each composition acting as a window—either opening to an outdoor landscape or an interior—directly engaging with the environment of the Grade II listed building. 

Upon entry, visitors will be greeted by La Bourrasque (The Squall), which depicts a portion of the Belvedere in Le Petit Trianon, Versailles—Marie Antoinette’s favoured retreat. Designed by Richard Mique and located in the English-style garden, the Belvedere pavilion serves as a focal point. The scene captures three figures: a couple of lovers and a solitary figure walking against the wind. A dachshund waits patiently on the terrace of the Belvedere pavilion, while two birds are caught mid-flight in the gusts of wind. 

Korman’s second artwork, titled Home, takes the form of a single-panel interior view featuring a large bookshelf and Louis XVI-style furniture. Within the painting, the books on the shelves reference art, artists, travel and Marie Antoinette herself, evoking themes of both intellectual and domestic life. This painting suggests a lived-in space, a house perhaps belonging to a couple, complete with a memory picture on the shelf. 

The artist’s final composition, L’Accalmie (The Lull), offers a peaceful view of the gardens at the Château de Bagatelle. Built in 1777 by the Count d’Artois as part of a wager with Marie Antoinette (a challenge to construct a château within 100 days), Bagatelle exudes an intimate, idyllic atmosphere. Here, a couple enjoys a moment of quiet repose amidst the serene landscape. The series ultimately revolves around the figure of lovers—from the couple battling the wind in La Bourrasque to the domestic intimacy of Home, and the quiet harmony of L’Accalmie.

Spearheaded by Pearl Lam and Mourad Mazouz, the collaboration has spotlighted international voices from China, Africa, and Britain, fostering dialogue and cross-cultural exchange between the East and West. Joining a roster of previously exhibited works including Danful Yang’s imaginative designs, Alimi Adewale’s textile explorations of Nigerian heritage, and Mr Doodle’s playful takeover of the iconic pod area, this latest series by Michal Korman has further transformed the London destination into a vibrant platform for global creativity.

Pearl Lam, Founder of Pearl Lam Galleries, says, “This collaboration with sketch has been an incredible opportunity to bring the voices of our Hong Kong and Shanghai galleries to London. Mourad’s vision for accessible art aligns perfectly with our mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue and showcase the perspectives of our international roster. This platform has allowed us to share compelling stories with a broader audience. In a time when galleries in Asia are striving to connect globally, this partnership has been a vital way of engaging people beyond traditional museum contexts and inspiring new ways of experiencing art.”

Mourad Mazouz, Founder of sketch, says, “The partnership with Pearl Lam Galleries has allowed sketch to showcase the gallery’s thought-provoking roster of artists. Pearl and I share a vision of internationality and how art can create meaningful memories for visitors to sketch. We are so pleased to be exhibiting Michal’s paintings in our entrance hall at 9 Conduit Street, inviting our guests to escape into his layered landscapes.”

sketch’s home, 9 Conduit Street, is a Grade II* listed building that was designed by James Wyatt in 1779 and has previously been the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects, before later becoming the London Atelier of Christian Dior. sketch was inaugurated in 2002 by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and three-Michelin-starred MasterChef Pierre Gagnaire. As a destination for food, art and music, the Mayfair venue continues to contribute to the building’s heritage as a destination for experimentation. sketch consists of the three-Michelin-starred Lecture Room and Library; the Parlour, a whimsical all-day cafe and bar at night; and the Gallery, a vibrant gastro brasserie, which is currently showcasing art by Yinka Shonibare, serving afternoon tea and dinner. sketch also encompasses the Glade, serving a lunch garden menu and cocktails at night, and the East Bar, a small intimate bar for London.