The Steve Allison Collection

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Born in Birmingham in 1948, Steve Allison was a celebrated photographer and graphic designer whose professional life was largely based in Cardiff. He relocated there in 1967 to study archaeology and, following graduation, pursued a varied and precarious early career that included work as a concert promoter, stage manager, bookbinder, and lithographer. Notably, in 1970 he organised a twelve-hour concert in Cardiff headlined by Pink Floyd. In 1973, while in Manchester, Allison resolved to dedicate himself to graphic design. In 1974, amid significant economic recession, he established The Steve Allison Studio.

^{▲ Ewen Henderson (British, 1934-2000) | Left to Right: a tea bowl (£200-300), a tea bowl (£300-500) & an 'Early Bowl' (£400-600)}

Initially balancing typographic commissions with an independent photographic practice, he committed fully to graphic design by 1980. Over the subsequent three decades, the studio became an integral presence within Cardiff’s theatre, dance, and music communities - fields that reflected Allison’s enduring personal interests. A private memoir written in 2014 records that he owned nearly one thousand vinyl records, though he had discarded their sleeves due to dissatisfaction with their design.

^{Steve Allison, photograph courtesy of the estate}

For fifteen years, Allison was responsible for a remarkable output of visual communications for Welsh National Opera. Several works from this period were later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, attesting to their cultural significance. During his tenure at the opera, he collaborated with the writer Antony Peattie, partner of the painter Howard Hodgkin. Allison did not disclose to Peattie, however, that he collected Hodgkin’s work until after the artist’s death.

^{▲ Gaetano Pesce (Italian, 1939-2024), 'Amazonia' vases (Left: £500-700 | Right: £300-500)}

Allison also assembled one of the most significant private UK collections of work by the Italian artist, architect, and designer Gaetano Pesce. Pesce’s 55-year career was marked by a challenge to orthodox modernism and a commitment to experimentation and humour. The Allison Collection reflects these principles, mirroring values of creativity, innovation, and wit that likewise informed Allison’s own photographic and graphic practice.

'Dad's collection was a broad one, but what unites it is that all of the work resonated deeply with him and his very visual relationship with the world. Alongside the work of Pesce and Hodgkin, ceramics was an area that hugely excited him - he was prolific in his collecting, from established makers through to emerging artists who he backed during the Artist Support Pledge during the pandemic. He displayed his ceramics collection proudly in his home, always finding space for a few more items when new ones spoke to him!'

Holly Russell-Allison (daughter of Steve Allison)

We are honoured to feature works from 'The Steve Allison Collection' in our upcoming Design auction on Tuesday 21 April. The varied collection spans studio ceramics, artworks and books, complemented by a thoughtfully curated group of resin works by Gaetano Pesce.

^{The Steve Allison Collection | Jewellery & Luxury - Wednesday 29 April} 

The collection will then continue the following week, with a selection of pieces also offered in our upcoming Jewellery & Luxury sale on 29 April; click here to be reminded when the catalogue for this auction goes live.

Tuesday 21 April | 10am

design@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

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