Art: Wool House

Somerset House’s exhibition spaces are on a roll: the shows of late (Tim Walker, Valentino, Dior Illustrated, Maison Martin Margiela to name four) have been kick ass, plus there was the extraordinary (in the good and the worst sense, if we are honest) immersive theatrical experience that was Dream Think Speak’s In the Beginning was the End. All in all, it’s an arts venue that’s had a distinct injection of zing. Ahead of Pick me Up, the dynamic graphic arts festival held annually in April is Wool House, where seven rooms have been taken over by designers (including Kit Kemp and Donna Wilson) to create rooms in the home (from bedrooms to living rooms) showcasing the wonders of wool. Alongside are three rooms displaying woolen fashion treasures plus rug-weaver-in-residence Jason Collingwood. As well as the programme of designer talks and workshops, we’re excited about seeing more of the crochetdermy skills of Shauna Richardson (remember her uber-giant crochet Olympic lions that toured the country?) Inanimate animals never looked so fine – trust us.