People talking inside a glass greenhouse with greenery outside, a colorful abstract painting on display.

s o l s t i c e

Featured Artists
Heather Chontos
Sabine Finkenauer
Sophie Kitching
Trevor Mein
Greg Wood

Project Partners
The Finch Project
Minima
Cash + Cash
Coventry Biennial

Sponsors
Domus Tiles
Hobs Repro

Team
Curatorial: San Stae + The Finch Project
Installation: Mike Baines
Floristry: Jessica Saul
Photography: Marcin Sz

To mark the arrival of San Stae’s new base in Leamington Spa, we were delighted to present Solstice, an exhibition of international artists’ work co-curated with The Finch Project.

Opening on Saturday 21 June, the exhibition explored the solstice as a moment of pause, reflection, and renewal. Works by Greg Wood (Australia), Sophie Kitching (UK/France), Heather Chontos (US/Portugal), Sabine Finkenauer (Spain), and Trevor Mein (Australia) were brought together to offer diverse cultural perspectives on this fleeting but powerful moment of the year.

Set within the remarkable Smallpeice House, a Grade-II listed Regency villa, the exhibition was conceived as both a celebration of art and a gentle introduction to San Stae and our creative practice. The house, with its tall windows, period detailing and sense of quiet grandeur, provided a fitting backdrop for international works that spoke of light, rhythm, and reflection.

The exhibition unfolded across the Artists’ Lounge, conservatory and our own design office. Each space revealed a different layer of the experience: the light-filled conservatory drawing out the seasonality of the works, the Artists’ Lounge offering intimacy and stillness, and our design office providing an insight into San Stae’s approach to interiors. Here, alongside the exhibition, we shared some of our recent projects and the principles that guide our practice - craftsmanship, heritage and a contemporary sensibility rooted in longevity.

Solstice was both an exhibition and a statement of intent - a way of opening the doors to our new home while setting the tone for what San Stae will continue to cultivate in Leamington Spa - a dialogue between art, architecture, and design.

A man with a shaved head and beard wearing a black shirt stands at a table looking down, holding a glass of champagne. The table displays various samples, materials, and design swatches, suggesting a design or interior decorating setting.
Three people with different hair colors viewed from behind, standing in front of a greenish wall or screen.
Decorative interior wall with framed storm cloud photograph, round mirror, marble fireplace mantle, and two tall candlesticks, with a potted plant to the right.
Abstract collage with colorful shapes including orange, green, blue, black, and brown, some resembling circular and rectangular forms layered with textures and newspaper print.
A woman with long dark hair, glasses, and earrings sitting indoors beside a window, holding a drink, wearing a tie-dye tank top and light-colored pants, smiling at the camera. Behind her, a painting with a leafy plant is on the wall.
Four women chatting and laughing indoors near a table with samples of fabric or material swatches, in a room with light green walls and a painting hanging. One woman with sunglasses on her head is holding a drink, and another with a dark skirt is holding a drink. The third woman, wearing glasses, appears to be placing her hand on her forehead.
A man with short curly hair is standing in an art gallery, taking a photo of an abstract painting with his smartphone. The painting features bold brushstrokes and a mix of soft and dark colors, including pink, beige, black, and gray, on a large canvas.
People at an outdoor gathering, a group of adults socializing among trees and foliage, some holding drinks, black-and-white photo.
A white Victorian-style house with bay windows, a brick top, and a chimney, behind a decorative white fence. There are trees with blossoming flowers and a clear blue sky.
Partially visible framed painting or photograph on a textured beige wall, with some writing and circular marks.
An abstract colorful painting hanging on a textured beige wall in a gallery or home setting, with a white door frame visible to the left.
A black and white photo of four people engaged in conversation at an indoor event, with two people visible in the foreground and two others in the background.
Framed artwork with colorful, flowing lines on a white background, hanging on a textured, peeling wall.