This series, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth, unveils the backstage of contemporary creation. Tackling various topics from personal designer processes to the position of collectible design on the global design market, COLLECTIBLE In-Depth offers different views to suit all tastes. Today we meet Max Radford, founder of Max Radford Gallery.

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COLLECTIBLE: What are the challenges in presenting contemporary collectible design?

Max Radford: The challenge for us can be how contemporary work can be compared to collectible historic design. We feel it is our role to educate potential buyers and collectors of contemporary designers and their practices. We must tell the stories in their work and explain the value in supporting contemporary creatives though purchasing their work over buying the mass-produced work of a dead designer. We of course back our designers and believe that their works are future- classics of the collectible sphere so you can always look at purchases of collectible design as investments in this regard.

C: How did you get into collectible design? Why did you start your gallery?

MR: I got into collectible design through great in-depth research of late 80s and early 90s design for my own interiors practice, I became aware of a world of one-off & ethereal pieces from those times and began to look into what was happening in London related to that at the time. It turned out that there were a lot of young designers presenting work and interacting on social media but nowhere to go and see the work in real-life. This galvanised me to start a gallery showing all this work in 2021.

C: What have you been up to recently? What are the next projects/exhibitions you wish to highlight?

MR: We have recently moved into a permanent space that we will be re-installing our Collectible booth into when we are back from the Fair so that people who couldn’t make the fair are able to see the work. We also have a new show in collaboration with a Historic London Design Seller to celebrate their 60th Anniversary where we will be reopening their gallery with a show of 11 Designers opening in May. Later this summer we also begin a series of Duo-Shows showing new works from some of our favourite EU-based designers set against the work of a London-based Artist. We will also be showing at LDF later in the year with some big news following…

C: What is the relation you hold with the designers you work with?

MR: Some designers we have worked with since our first show and are now old friends as well as collaborators, whilst we are forging that relationship with newer designers. We say our role in the relationship is the sounding board for ideas and the megaphone for work. That is to say that we are here to discuss any thoughts, issues or just concept for work with the designers we represent as well as those that we don’t. And then when that work materialises we are here to platform what the designers would like to show.

C: How do you discover new designers?

MR: We keep a close eye on social media as well as any London-school graduation shows.