Artist Lucy Sparrow specialises in creating items from felt and cloth, and she has exhibited across the world since her first pop-up Cornershop in Bethnal Green in 2014. There have been many other shops, including a chemist and delicatessen, and her most recent exhibition is a fish and chip shop made entirely out of felt. The Bourdon Street Chippy is located in a gallery on Bourdon Street in Mayfair, and this is the same location as used for the chemist in 2021. The exhibition ran from the first of August until the 31st, and I went to check it out during its run.
Upon entering the gallery, I was greeted with seating typical of a fish and chip shop with booths, a menu at the back, and photographs on the wall. Everything was made from felt from the pictures on the wall to the signage at the back and the booths to sit on, the table cloths, the cutlery, the food, and the condiments and their holder.
There were several felt plates of fish or sausage and chips with mushy peas or curry sauce, typical of the standard British fish and chip chop, also known as "the chippy".
Even the "reserved" place setting was made in felt.
The next area and on the way to the actual "fish and chip" counter/kitchen had a typical community bulletin board with various flyers advertising community news, all in felt.
The kitchen or counter area included the fish and chip menu and prices for the items and the felt "food" on display.
This also included the famous branded pies that are often found at the fish and chip shop.
There were even packs of condiments, salt and pepper, and little forks made from felt to purchase. I also purchased a pickled cucumber (pickle) and picked onion and a couple of pin badges. I always try to purchase something from her exhibitions.
There was also a vending machine covered in felt and branding and filled with felt canned drinks.
Visitors can purchase items, including the shelves of condiments such as mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and salt.
All of the signage, typical of a fast food shop, was made in felt. Boxes of fish and chips could also be purchased.
I also received a free branded "brown paper bag" made of cloth with my purchase.
For more Lucy Sparrow exhibitions on this blog, see:
Lucy Sparrow's Flt Delicatessen at Diptyque
Lucy Sparrow's Felt 'R' Us at Brunswick Centre
Lucy Sparrow Bourdon Street Chemist
Lucy Sparrow's Cornershop in London
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