Richard Long with his portable Roger Ackling sculpture

The private view for Roger Ackling was a fantastic celebration and a big crowd, from young students to seasoned professionals, turned out to see Roger’s work and enjoy time with him. Artist Richard Long became a temporary performative part of the show as he moved around revealing a work by Roger that he held in his hand.

old friends - Matt Rugg, Roger Ackling, and Ian Parker

artists Clyde Hopkins and Simon Ling with CHELSEA space's Olga Chwilowicz

artist Bruce McLean joking with Paul Hedge from Hales Gallery

artists David Musgrave, Gladstone Thompson, and Annette Heyer

CHELSEA space's Caitlin Smyth with artist Virginia Verran

An-archivists - former librarian of the Museum of Modern Art New York, writer and curator Clive Phillpot with Adrian Glew from Tate underneath Roger Ackling's 'untitled' (birdbox)

It was a great evening and a full set of images is coming to the CHELSEA space website soon.

artist Gary Woodley assesses the condition of one of Chelsea's Rietveld chairs

The private view might have passed but there is never a dull moment at CHELSEA space, this week Gary Woodley came in with artist and curator Rose Davey to help us with the restoration of two Rietveld ‘Red and Blue Chairs’ bought by Chelsea School of Art from Rietveld’s studio in Utrect in the 1960′s.

Gary Woodley and Rose Davey cleaning the surfaces of the deconstructed 'Red and Blue Chairs' by Gerrit Rietveld

The intention is not to completely revamp the chairs as the patina of use is part of their provenance, they will in CHELSEA space as part of our Summer Window 2011 and then part of Ideal Home our group show opening in September as part of the London Design Festival

artist and curator Rose Davey

As though this wasn’t enough fun for one week we also had a wonderful visit from iconic Rock Fashion designer Lloyd Johnson whose store, Johnsons, in Chelsea’s World’s End was a mecca for everyone from Bob Dylan to the Clash and beyond.

Lloyd Johnson checks out CHELSEA space's ramp space with author of The Look: Adventures in Rock and Fashion, Paul Gorman

CHELSEA space is working on a show with Lloyd to coincide with London Fashion Week in February 2012 and we are lucky to have Barney Bubbles’ curator Paul Gorman return as consultant on the project. Johnsons is sadly missed and Lloyd’s clothes have been worn by everyone from Rod Stewart to Fred Astaire and Chrissie Hynde. Lloyd told us that in Tokyo they regularly hold Johnsons nights where everyone dresses up in his classic designs. We are delighted that we will soon be having a Johnsons celebration of our own.

Lloyd Johnson talks textiles with artist and CHELSEA space assistant Emily Rubner

After Lloyd left we finished off the day with a group of visitors to Roger Ackling’s show including former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Doug Richard on his way to Artsmart. “Let me tell you where I’m at CHELSEA space - I’m in”.

getting down to business - Dragon's Den's Doug Richard at CHELSEA space