Welcoming Matthew Yeats | Head of Design

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I’ve always thought that the great pleasure of working with objects in Design is the fact that they are shaped by, and shape, the way we live our lives often in a practical and day-to-day manner, while elevating our existence through the beauty and care with which they have been created. Design feels to me as much an important part of our culture as great music, art, or literature; be it sitting in a beautifully designed mid-century armchair while reading a good book, or finding the perfect decorative object - perhaps a vase from a great maker with an unusual glaze and then putting it in the perfect place in your home, to be enjoyed and experienced every day. The nature of Design as a modern and international sector, alongside the eclecticism of form and material, means that it is impossible to ever get bored - something new, exciting, and sometimes unexpected, is always just around the corner.

While I am currently based in central London, I grew up in Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. My passion for material culture, and its interaction with art, led me to study French and History of Art at the University of Edinburgh. I then continued my studies at the École du Louvre in Paris, immersing myself in all that the city had to offer for a year. Following this, I returned to Edinburgh, where I completed a Masters in Modern & Contemporary Art Theory. Today, alongside my work at Sworders, I am a doctoral candidate at the University of St Andrews, where my research focuses on the multidisciplinary nature of French artists whose works blur the expected boundaries between art, literature and crafts throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

^{Matthew Yeats - Head of Department | Design}

Professionally, I have always been drawn to auction houses. While at university, I began my career as an intern at a renowned saleroom in Edinburgh, where I first developed my knowledge of Design as a business. I was drawn to the department straight away, particularly feeling the emotional significance held by objects that transcend time and share stories not just of their makers and creators, but of the homes in which they have inhabited. For me, the satisfaction of helping a client place their collection in the hands of passionate new collectors is one of my favourite aspects of the industry. The ability to assist in the dissemination of these wonderful objects is a joy.

After completing my studies, I relocated to London to take up a position working for the prominent furniture and decorative arts dealer Adrian Alan in Mayfair. In this role I learned the importance of providing exceptional service to my clients. I then returned to the leading auction house I had interned for in Edinburgh, joining the Design team in London where I helped to drive brand development and strategy within the department, which resulted in setting numerous auction records for specific makers and for private single collections. I also organised an exhibition of works in collaboration with the Crafts Study Centre as part of London Design Week, showing off the very best of contemporary design, something which remains a true passion of mine.

^{Matthew Yeats - Head of Department | Design}

Outside work, I like nothing more than embracing all the culture I can, regularly going to exhibitions, opera, ballet, theatre, and any other event that piques my interest as an opportunity to learn or meet like-minded people. I always like to keep my finger on the pulse of what is moving and shaking in the Design world, and I am thrilled to now be joining the team at Sworders as the new Head of Design where I am eager to continue building the reputation and work of this strong department.

With a particular interest in studio ceramics and the emergence of the contemporary crafts movement, I am keen to develop the department’s successes, offering not only the things we have seen work historically, but also by expanding the reach of the department and to incorporate innovation into our sales and events offering.

 Matthew Yeats | contactable at: matthewyeats@sworder.co.uk

design@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

Wednesday 30 April | 10am

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