Henry Svendsen Debuts Lovers Hold at V&A After Deptford Residency

Henry Svendsen, an artist based in London, has unveiled his most ambitious project yet, titled Lovers Hold (2026), during an informal residency at the Arteffects workshop located in a railway arch in Deptford. The workshop, run by Steve Haines, focuses on cold casting and mould-making for prominent contemporary artists. Svendsen's sculptures, resembling plinths and exceeding two metres in height, are crafted from resin poured over formwork, with their shapes shaped by gravity. Their surfaces display various prints, including fingers and fists, finished with a black resin that resembles molten rock. The work will be exhibited at the V&A from 11 September to 19 October, encouraging viewer interaction. Svendsen draws inspiration from kissing chairs, which he believes foster connections among users. His previous works include Bent (2024) and Handle (2025), which similarly examine the interplay between bodies and constructed environments.