
Royal College of Art graduate Noémie Goudal, winner of the inaugural Corinthia Artist in Residence 2012, recently unveiled ‘Harbour,’ created whilst residing at the hotel as part of Corinthia Hotel London’s initiative to foster the best of British nurtured talent across different arts disciplines.
Noémie was joined by figures from the esteemed panel of judges, comprising some of the UK’s leading voices on the arts and design scene: Dan Stevens, British actor currently starring in Downton Abbey; Caroline Rush, CEO British Fashion Council and Ben Evans, Director, London Design Festival. Also present were artists, collectors and society figures from impressionist Ronnie Ancona to retail expert Felicia Brocklebank to philanthropist Ella Krasner.
Noémie’s exhibition will be open to the public from 9th May until 9th June at Corinthia Hotel London.
Exhibited were Noémie’s three large-scale pieces of work, which she created whilst residing at Corinthia London. Noémie’s answer to the hotel’s “Unknown Views” brief was to take the ultimate place of escape, and create journeys into fictional worlds. Noémie entitled the final exhibition ‘Harbour’ in reference to Corinthia London’s location in front of the water.
Noémie worked through nights and around guests and staff to build her sculptural artworks entitled ‘Forest’, ‘Pier’ and ‘Road’. The residency took Noémie into every part of the hotel and the surrounding environs, and while the artist usually creates four to five finished works a year, three scenes were created during a relatively short space of one month.
Noémie Goudal says: “From the harbor, there is the view of the horizon, the perspective of the exotic and potential discoveries, which relate directly to the images that I have created. The hotel is a place of refuge and the views, my backdrops, provide the possibility of further escape.”
Noémie’s practice has predominantly focused on the construction of spaces that enable ‘new perspectives’ within the photographic framework. Noémie creates scenes that offer multiple understandings - underlying narratives in which new lands of perception are possible.
Noémie is currently a much sought after name following a plethora of prestigious industry awards.
Noémie’s specially commissioned work adds to the artistic talent that exudes from within the walls of the hotel with bespoke creations throughout, from the interior design of GA Design and David Collins Studio.
Noémie’s work was selected from the 1,000 artists by the esteemed panel of judges including:
Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications & Creative Industries
Dan Stevens, British actor currently starring in Downton Abbey
Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council
Ben Evans, Director, London Design Festival
Amanda Nevill, Director, British Film Institute
Josie Rourke, Artistic Director, The Donmar Warehouse
Jan Dalley, Arts Editor, Financial Times
Matthew Dixon, General Manager of Corinthia Hotel London said, ‘Corinthia London is very proud to be supporting young artist Noémie Goudal’s work, our winner of the first Corinthia Artist in Residence initiative. The arts are an integral part of the DNA of the hotel, from our surrounding major cultural centers to the bespoke British art on the walls, right down to the craftsmanship that is prevalent in every detail of the hotel. We are very excited to be showcasing Noémie’s work as our first ever exhibition at the hotel and look forward to exploring another arts discipline for Corinthia Artist in Residence 2013.’
Noémie’s work will be displayed exclusively at Corinthia Hotel London from 9th May to 9th June with viewings by request on appointment. Viewings are free of charge.
For more information on Corinthia London please see www.corinthia.com/london.For more information on Noémie Goudal: www.Noémiegoudal.com
About ‘Harbour’ by Noémie Goudal, Corinthia Hotel London Artist in Residence
Each of Goudal’s works, echoing life at Corinthia London, is meticulously choreographed and is in itself a major production. The backdrop is constructed of many photographic prints joined together to form a new view. In ‘Forest’, ‘Pier’ and ‘Road’, subtle details in the hotel were the trigger for each work.

‘Road’
The ornate leaves at Corinthia London’s in-house florist were the starting point for the verdant rainforest in ‘Road’. Rather than being in Corinthia London, we stand in a fictitious Corinthia Dominica, replacing a trip to Trafalgar Square for one into a luscious jungle. The scene of nature is sinister, peaceful, inviting, yet melancholy, it is surprising how well it sits with the luxury interiors of Corinthia London.
Often the working elements of the production are left exposed, for example the tape at the bottom of ‘Road’, hinting at the process and giving the sense that the new reality is still being formed. The installations Goudal has created are alluring, but for unexpected reasons.

‘Pier’
The inspiration for ‘Pier’ was Corinthia London’s location by the River Thames, a key element of the hotel’s character. Calm and ethereal, meditative even, the land beyond the Corinthia London curtains is suggestive of an after-life. The ambiguity of tone enables the viewer to create his or her own reality. Similarly the timelessness of each of the works, untrammeled by people, fashion or an age, with only the distant buildings in ‘Pier’ suggesting a sense of place, also enables the viewer to make of these scenes what they will.
‘Forest’
The white veins in the black marble of the ESPA Life spa became the glimpses of white bark the viewer sees in the dark wood. The intriguing dark forest could be a place of refuge, but there is also a sense of potential danger beyond the perfect pool.
Each guest’s individual interpretation can be imposed, just as they will be during a stay at the hotel. The viewer is the protagonist. The compositions are dramatic and the trompe l’oeil effect inviting, though in none is there a clear path into the distance. The viewer must step into this alternate reality first before the next steps can become clear. Corinthia London, with its vast interiors, luxurious design and attention to detail is the perfect portal for Goudal’s enigmatic photographic sculptures.

From left to right: Dan Stevens, One of the Artist in Residence Panel of Judges; artist Noémie Goudal, winner of the inaugural Corinthia Artist in Residence 2012; and Matthew Dixon, General Manager of Corinthia Hotel London.