The Queen visited an artist collective today after receiving a tip off from her daughter about the talent on show.
Camilla popped into Kindred Studios’ Shepherds Bush pop-up and delighted in telling the exhibitors about Laura Lopes' trip to the workshop’s recent open day.
The Queen marvelled at the installations, including taxidermy mice, intricate embroidered textiles and stopped to admire a sweet painting of her step-granddaughter Princess Charlotte.
The Queen, 76, was warmly greeted by artist Cordelia Plunket, mother of her equerry Major Ollie Plunket who serves in The Rifles, the regiment of which Camilla has been colonel-in-chief since 2020.
Cordelia, an award winning film producer who has worked with global artists including David Bowie, Adele, The Prodigy, Rage Against the Machine and Queens of the Stone Age, hugged the Queen before showing her exhibits, including a “spaghetti western” scene involving taxidermy mice and puppet dogs representing the famous Beatles Abbey Road album cover.
She said: “A lot of the pieces are very intricate and I’ve learned an awful lot from the other artists who have been working here, it’s an incredibly vibrant and cohesive community.” Smiling as she was shown the graphic blood soaked mouse scene, indicating two mice in a gun battle with apparent inspiration taken from the Hollywood film No Country for Old Men, Camilla said: “It’s extraordinary.”
During her tour meeting the artists known as ‘Kin’, from painters and ceramicists to textiles and fashion designers as well as bursary recipients who have been supported by Kindred Studios, Camilla was introduced to former drug addict Jon Rees who was homeless before being welcomed by the collective.
Showing the Queen his mural outside the building at the rear of Shepherds Bush market, he said: “This place has been a second chance and now it’s a second home, not only for me but for so many other artists.” Camilla replied: “That’s fantastic - you’ve really found your feet and you have the whole community helping everyone together, it’s fantastic.”
The Queen was then serenaded by a traditional Bulgarian choir from the first-floor balcony of the studio, where they come together to practice once a week. Once back inside, Camilla stopped to look at a small painting of Princess Charlotte, a copy of the official photograph released by Kensington Palace to celebrate the royal’s second birthday in 2017.
Artist Mercedes Carbonell, from Spain, said: “The Queen liked it very much. I think Charlotte looks like Queen Elizabeth in the photograph which urged me to make a painting. During Covid I took my piece to the national gallery in Paris - the Grand Palais - and had my own exhibit outside. It was great and I had such a great reception. I am very proud of this piece.”
Camilla remarked that the painting was “lovely”. Inside one of the artist rooms the Queen was introduced to master craftsman Piran Harte, who has worked on the continued restoration of the Cutty Sark based in Greenwich from 2012. Speaking about his role in salvaging antique furniture, Camilla said: “This is what we need, a bit of old-fashioned furniture restoring. I could have sent you a few pieces, in fact. I will be back to see you! It seems you can pretty much turn your hand to anything. I’m very glad I’ve found you, you may see me again very soon.”
Delighted Piran said after the meeting: “Well, that wasn’t bad was it?” Kindred Studios was founded in February 2015 by two friends looking to set up their creative practices in West London. After a two-year-long search, they leased a space inside a disused vocational building in Ladbroke Grove.
In 2017, Kindred moved to premises in Maida Hill, expanding its offer to include 175 artists and makers, an educational program designed to inspire the next generation and frequent events, designed to harbour creativity in its neighbourhood. In 2019 Kindred moved to its temporary site in Shepherds Bush.
Speaking to the founder of Kindred Studios, Angelique Schmitt, Camilla confessed she had been moved to come after her daughter Laura visited recently. She said: “My daughter came to see you and said it was wonderful here."
Her Majesty will tour the Studios, meeting with West London artists known as ‘Kin’ from painters and ceramicists to textiles/ fashion designers as well as bursary recipients who have been supported by Kindred Studios. After posing for a group photograph with the studio guests, Camilla said: “I am extremely jealous of your multi-talent and everything I have heard about this place is true, well done. I would love to come back so I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”