Tastemakers: Modern and Contemporary Art & Design

This November, Sworders is pleased to present Tastemakers: Modern and Contemporary Art & Design, a landmark auction dedicated to the artists, designers, makers, collectors and patrons who have shaped visual culture throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

22 July 2026

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Bringing together a carefully curated selection of international art, craft and design, the sale will examine the individuals and movements that challenged convention, expanded the boundaries of artistic practice, and transformed the ways in which Art & Design is created, collected, and understood.

Central to the auction is the recognition that the distinction between so-called 'high' and 'low' art became increasingly fluid during the modern period. Across the last century, artists and makers embraced an ever-widening range of materials, techniques and interdisciplinary approaches, redefining the relationship between fine art, craft and functional design. Reflecting this spirit of innovation, Tastemakers will present works spanning studio and contemporary ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, textiles, furniture and contemporary craft.

Equally important to the story of modern and contemporary art are the patrons, collectors and creative communities that fostered artistic exchange and experimentation. From Jim Ede and Kettle's Yard, to Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant at Charleston, and the thriving artistic networks of St Ives associated with Bernard Leach, Denis Mitchell, Breon O'Casey, Barbara Hepworth and Alfred Wallis, these influential figures and communities helped define the cultural zeitgeist of their respective eras. Through their patronage, collaboration and artistic vision, they continue to shape the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art today.

The sale traces a broad cultural narrative, beginning with the progressive energy of the Bright Young Things in the 1920s, continuing through the radical experimentation of post-war artistic communities, and extending to the Young British Artists of the 1990s and the creative innovators of the present day. In doing so, the auction highlights the figures and movements that have shaped taste, collecting practices and aesthetic values across generations.

^{▲ Peter Collingwood (1922-2008), 'M.74 No.12' (Sold for £26,000 inc. fees)}

Particular attention is given to the development of contemporary ceramics and crafts, a field in which artists continually redefined both material and form. The instantly recognisable manganese glazes of Lucie Rie, the richly expressive surfaces of Alison Britton, and the distinctive burnished vessels of Magdalene Odundo, each demonstrate the diverse possibilities of the medium. Through a curated selection of singular and highly individual works, the sale celebrates ceramicists whose practices have advanced the discipline while maintaining an emphasis on craftsmanship and originality.

Textile works by makers such as Peter Collingwood and Miriam Sacks, and vessels by celebrated woodworker Jim Partridge, exemplify the technical innovation and material experimentation that have transformed the design landscape over the past century. Their works, now highly sought after by both public institutions and private collectors, reflect the growing international recognition of contemporary craft as a significant artistic discipline.

For enquiries, please contact Bryn Sayles for Modern and Contemporary Art, or Matthew Yeats for Design.

Bryn and Matthew recently joined Sworders, having spent many years working in major London auction houses, including on cross-category Art & Design auctions. They look forward to bringing this experience and expertise to Tastemakers: Modern and Contemporary Art & Design.