The international auction house, Sotheby’s would be holding a huge auction selling a wide range of Freddie Mercury’s belongings. The lead singer of the band Queen had a huge collection of art, trinkets, clothing and memorabilia. “A World of His Own” would be unique and a once in a lifetime glimpse into the Rockstar’s life, Sotheby’s would be displaying his items in a massive exhibition for all to see in order to promote the upcoming auction.
As I approach Sotheby’s I was very impressed with the grandeur of the event. This was clearly a large showcasing that took a lot of time and effort. I notice that the queue that has formed goes around the block. The usual branded swaying flags of the auction house were replaced with Freddie Mercury styled ones. This was already indicative of something worth seeing.
Luckily the queues moved quickly as tourists and Londoner’s alike chatted away to pass the time. We finally enter the first room and one of Freddie’s kimonos dominates the space. He was clearly a lover of Japanese art as beautiful paintings of geisha and ancient samurai adorned the walls. I gazed at a geisha that gazed back with a slight smile and soft eyes- beautiful.
In the other room his beautifully decorated grand piano was the centrepiece as his artwork and trinkets were dotted around it on various shelves and alcoves. There was a huge amount for the senses to take in. Sotheby’s did a stellar job of displaying it adequately.
Up the stairs to the either side are his glass art deco and initialled shower screens that I thought looked really cool. We enter the other half of the exhibit. Much more to see. His records, his clothing: cool branded t-shirts and leather jackets. “We are the champions” as you are simply bombarded with all things Freddie Mercury.
A Matisse, a Picasso casually hung opposite a fantastically colourful Wurlitzer jukebox.
More stunningly beautiful kimonos floated in the sky, hung from the ceiling like giant butterflies.
This collection has been meticulously preserved at his beloved home at Garden Lodge for over three decades and displays a quality and diversity of works that are a testament not only to his manifold passions, but innate style, accomplished artistry, and brilliant mind.
There is so much to see, Mercury certainly had a keen eye for design and style as this installation shows. His things are everywhere and many are personal items such as old photographs,, one of him young and his cat caught my eye. The exhibit is laid out so that it is immersive in nature. “Guaranteed to blow your mind.”
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