The felt cornershop

In Lucy Sparrow’s Cornershop chocolate and sweets are stacked next to the shop counter, newspapers and magazines are displayed neatly and biscuits and drinks line the shelves.

Lucy Sparrow's Cornershop

The only – and arguably quite major – difference between Sparrow’s shop and your local one is that its entire contents have been created from felt.

Immersive and environmental installations are often at their best when their creators have paid real attention to detail, as Sparrow has here.

Lucy Sparrow's Cornershop

Her formerly derelict store in Bethnal Green now contains more than 4000 hand made felt versions of grocery items – fish fingers, cans of lager, Spam, sanitary towels, cigarettes… it’s all here. You’ll even find things in freezer cabinets and fridges.

The whole thing took Sparrow seven months and has been made possible with Arts Council and Tower Hamlets Council support as well as a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Lucy Sparrow's Cornershop

Everything is for sale, although it will remain in the store until the end of the exhibition.

If you fancy creating your own felt world Sparrow will be holding felt workshops in the store, although frankly if this thing takes off and all derelict shops are taken over by felt interlopers, buying anything of substance could prove very difficult.

Lucy Sparrow's Cornershop

Lucy Sparrow Presents Cornershop can be found at 19 Wellington Row, London, E2 7BB until 31 August.  

Start the discussionStart the discussion
  • Post a comment

Latest articles