With just one more week to catch Robyn Lynch’s debut exhibition at Greenwich’s NOW Gallery, we put it under the spotlight.
Interweaving notions of Irish identity and cultural narratives, while reminiscing fond nostalgic memories of growing up on the outskirts of Dublin in a pre-social age, Irish-born, London-based menswear designer Robyn Lynch’s Greetings from Ireland is not to be missed.
The debut exhibition was awarded the NOW Gallery 2023 Fashion Commission. It is a bouncy castle getaway into the not-so-serious world of Lynch, and it’s showing until 25 February.
Greetings from Ireland exposes the vigorous research, design and documentation process behind the scenes of Lynch’s label, shining light on the community and collaborators who have helped shape the brand.
Lynch says: “Being awarded the NOW Gallery 2023 Fashion Commission has been a monumental moment for my brand. I have been an admirer of the NOW Gallery Fashion Commission since it was established in 2015, when I got the opportunity to assist on Phoebe English’s commission while interning at the brand.
“From assisting another designer as an intern to now having the opportunity to showcase the development of my brand from inception to date in the same space is a full 360 moment for me.
“I am extremely honoured to be given the opportunity to celebrate Irish creatives and culture within the gallery walls.”
Housed within an alien-like giant smiley face bouncy castle caged by scaffolding, Lynch partners with Irish artist, set designer and long-term collaborator Rory Mullen to create the paradox installation.
The pair bring together their shared vision and playful design approach to create a structure symbolic of the brand, embodying Lynch’s nostalgic inspiration, light-hearted humour and rough and ready aesthetic, still a work in progress.
The exhibition culminates in a retrospective documenting the brand’s journey from working on the kitchen table to the present day, weaving together behind-the-scenes footage from the studio to fashion week, alongside a snapshot of the community and creatives who have adopted and grown with the brand.
The documentary-style film captures the vibrant energy of Lynch, depicting the final stages of the creative process, the showcase of the brand, when a collection is born and worn in the real world.
Set designer Rory Mullen says: “Inviting the viewer to enter into an inflatable structure – enveloping and immersing them in Robyn’s memories, family, national identity and sense of humour that is essential to her brand. The structure is influenced by 1960s utopian housing, bringing together its ideals of optimism and playfulness.”
So, bounce along this week and catch the exhibition before it says goodbye.
Showing until 25 February
NOW Gallery, Soames Walk, SE10 0SQ
www.nowgallery.co.uk
