Curator and Education
2010 – 2011
London, UK

In 2010, Ralph Lauren developed a cultural project entitled Art Stars. The brand commissioned up-and-coming European and Middle Eastern contemporary artists to develop new work utilising the theme of ‘Americana’ as a muse. Representing the brand’s core values, each young artist was challenged to customize a canvas into a three dimensional star using an assortment of unique materials in combination with their practice to create their designs, including a variation of denim, replicas of the American flag, dyes, collage, bleach and embroidery. Beyond the shapes and sizes of the ART STARS, artists were only limited by their own imaginations in transforming the star and denim into a work of art that symbolizes their vision inspired by RL.

The works were displayed in cities across Europe before culminating in an exhibition and auction at Phillips de Pury. Proceeds from the auction benefited the Teenage Cancer Trust — a charity dedicated to helping young people fight cancer.

After the success of the project, in 2011 we developed an educational side to initiative. We selected ten of the chosen artists to give Artist Talks across Europe to discuss their practice and give further advice to young artists. This was coupled with the artists opening their studios to selected winners of an open call competition in which young artists were asked to develop a proposal for an ART STAR.

“The Art Stars project is an important partnership for the Polo Jeans brand. We are excited to be working with these talented artists and honoured that Art Stars will be supporting this worthwhile cause,” said David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing, and Corporate Communications at Polo Ralph Lauren.

Simon de Pury, Chairman of Phillips de Pury, noted, “We are very happy to be joining Polo Jeans Co. in supporting Teenage Cancer Trust.”