‘The Shape of Play’ by Sabine Finkenauer, presented by L.F. Markey

For London Design Festival, L.F. Markey presents The Shape of Play, an exhibition by Barcelona-based artist Sabine Finkenauer, whose bold yet contemplative works find a natural home within the world of L.F. Markey. Sabine Finkenauer’s art is characterised by a playful yet precise approach to abstraction. Working with simple, often symmetrical forms—circles, arches, diamonds, and curves—she builds compositions through repetition, mirroring, and subtle variation. Her use of oil pastels, combined with a hybrid technique that blends drawing and monotype printing, results in tactile, soft-edged surfaces that are both visually rhythmic and quietly expressive. At the heart of her practice is drawing—not only as a medium, but as a mode of thinking and discovery. Finkenauer’s forms are rooted in everyday shapes and motifs, often inspired by architecture, ornament, textiles, and childhood memory. Colour plays a vital role also, her palette is bold yet balanced, with hues that resonate and hum. Repetition and variation lend her works a musical quality—like visual rhythms or notations, where harmony emerges through balance, and meaning through pattern. This collaboration came about organically – Finkenauer is a genuine fan of the brand and wears L.F. Markey in her studio and beyond. Likewise, Louise Markey admires Sabine’s work and has always looked to visual art for inspiration in her design process. The connection between artist and brand is grounded in shared values: bold colour, unique silhouettes, and a sense of creative purpose. Installed in L.F. Markey’s East London store, The Shape of Play invites viewers into a dialogue between fashion and fine art. It’s a celebration of creativity as a way of living, dressing, and seeing the world.