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Our Director, James McCarthy, was featured on BBC News on 6th October 2024, sharing insights  into the world of chess and the artistry behind Purling’s Art Chess sets.

Recorded during our Art & Chess Exhibition - "Purling - The Art of the Game" at 67 York Street Gallery.

James McCarthy Director of Purling about art and chess.

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New exhibition “The Art ofthe Game” celebrates the art of chess in London this October 

Purling presents new display showcasing the fusion of art and strategy, through exquisite art chess sets by renowned artists such as Sophie Matisse and Sickboy

Dates: 7 – 12 October 2024

Private View: Tuesday 8 October, 6pm

Venue: 67 York Street Gallery, Marylebone

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Inspired by Hubble Telescope photographs, Bristol-based street artist, Cheba, created the galactic themed Chess Set ‘Cosmos’.

The semi-translucent chess board features glitter and spray paint, set within 8 hand-poured layers of resin. This one-of-a-kind chess board is highly polished and complemented by sparkling hand-spray painted chess pieces.

Currently on loan to the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, USA, this one-of-a-kind chess set is listed on Purling’s website

The World Chess Hall of Fame presents world-class exhibitions that explore the connection of chess to art, culture, and history; featuring chess sets from around the globe. Purling exhibited a collection of Art Chess in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

the first three images:  Photo by Crystal Fuller, image courtesy of the World Chess Hall of Fame

the last image: Photo by Austin Fuller, image courtesy of the World Chess Hall of Fame

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Art sets for Purling - "Table of Contents" - Sickboy and "More or Less III (Duck)" - Lhouette, as featured in Sotherby's International Realty magazine - December 2021.

Checkmate charm: How chess sets are redefining the coffee table book trend

Move over Coffee Table Books, chess sets are the new interior must-have

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Purling challenge – Across the decades.

James McCarthy - Purling Finance Director played a re-match with British Grand Master & Fide International Arbiter – Raymond Keene OBE in London this week – 40 years after their first meeting.

Playing a Purling Bold series chess set, Raymond & James re-created their historical game, whilst reminiscing on each other’s moves of their first eventful challenge.

The nostalgic & fun day was captured by Purling Creative Director – Gosia Lapsa-Malawska & Head of Client Services – Annie Woolstenholmes.

featured set :

Purling bold series in signature Paynes Grey & Brilliant White, with large Alabaster stone board

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Purling Bold Christmas chess pieces are the ideal Christmas decor complement & gift for the chess enthusiast.

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James McCarthy  and Raymond Keene        

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One of our collaborations (2021) is with the fabulous Edelweiss Pianos. This company, stocked in Harrods, produces bespoke, crafted pianos, from traditional to flamboyant and extraordinary aesthetics.

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Harrods entertained customers with a number of ‘Christmas Theatre’ events in store during the festive shopping season. As part of this, we were pleased that Purling London artists, Nette Robinson and Leonardo Frigo participated by live painting Art Chess sets and Ornaments in the ‘Luxury Games’ department during two busy weekends in the lead up to Christmas. Many shoppers stopped by to watch the artworks in progress, to ask questions and to marvel at all the different and stunning artist-painted games we have on offer!

‘Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit‘ is an exhibition celebrating the life and work of the internationally renowned pop artist Keith Haring, curated by the World Chess Hall of Fame, St Louis MO USA.  The show features artwork by Haring as well as exhibits in tribute to him by other artists, who had either known him, worked with or been influenced by him. Keith Haring’s artistic journey began in the 1980s in the New York subway.  Using the black-papered, unused advertising panels as his canvasses, he drew many bold drawings in white chalk. He started gaining attention from the public and authorities alike.  From these modest beginnings, Haring went on to be an artist revered and recognised the world over.

Purling Art Chess exhibited at Christie’s London

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Daniela Raytchev x Purling Art Chess at Saatchi Gallery

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The prestigious World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis MO, USA hosted a major exhibition from 12th April – 16th September 2018 entitled ‘Painted Pieces: Art Chess from Purling London’.  The show, dubbed ‘Tradition with a Twist’ featured our classic Staunton-design chess sets, hand-painted by twenty celebrated painters, illustrators, sculptors and street artists from around the world.

Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) is a UK charity whose mission is to improve children’s educational outcomes and social development by introducing them to the game of chess. Founded in 2009, CSC now teach in over 300 schools and support 500 more nationwide. CSC also organise a world-class tournament, the ‘London Chess Classic’ (LCC).

Purling London has been supporting the Chess in Schools and Communities charity since our establishment in 2012. We have regularly contributed to their LCC tournament, creating artistic pop-up spaces for school children and spectators to play chess in a unique and fun atmosphere with our colourful boards.

Over the years, we have been very pleased to donate many chess sets and games to CSC for their schools and charity fundraising through galas and auctions. Purling has even specially created and donated a hand-painted London Chess Classic trophy, which was won by World Champion, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen!

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The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) exhibited a thought-provoking show of multi-media chess artwork by twelve world-renowned female artists.  The exhibition, entitled ‘Ladies’ Knight: A Female Perspective on Chess’ presented independent works by artists including Barbara Kruger, Sophie Matisse, Yoko Ono and Rachel Whiteread; and two Purling London Art Chess sets by collaborators, Daniela Raytchev and Crystal Fischetti – who brought their individual artistic interpretations to the game.

Negocio Exhibition

T. Raymonzrek x Purling London ‘Chemical Warfare’ Art Chess table was selected by the curators of Negocio Exhibition, June – July 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. The motivation of the exhibition is as follows:

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Launching through 2022, new signature & seasonal colours within our bold range. Shown here - Purling Purple (Crown Jewel) & Brilliant White.

American Grammy award winning music producer, author, rapper and founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA was interviewed by Adisa Banjoko and photographed by Mike Relm. The three men share a passion for chess and music: Banjoko and RZA work together through the Hip Hop Chess Federation; Relm is a pioneer video remix artist & photographer whose work is often inspired by the game.

Adisa Banjoko interviewed RZA for Chess Life Magazine (which you may remember from Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit‘), in which they discussed the Shaolin temple, kung-fu, hip hop and chess. RZA started learning chess at the age of 11 and it has been a strong influence in his life and artistic work. For the Wu-Tang Clan and RZA, chess is part of the “Wu essence”. In ‘The Wu-Tang Manuel’, RZA states.

Art Chess for Purling - "Untitled III" by Leonardo Frigo, as featured in Gentleman's Journal, January 2022 and cited - One of the best luxury board games to buy.

Purling are proud to announce Zsóka Gaál as it's first Brand Ambassador.

Purling participated in British Craft Week, May 2022 at Makers Market - The Royal Exchange, London, showcasing an edited selection from our Art & core chess ranges.

Standing opposite The Bank of England, the historic & beautiful Royal Exchange, dates back to 1571 and was founded by the merchant - Sir Thomas Gresham, as a centre of commerce, for the City of London.

The event was covered and featured on ITV's London Evening News.

Two great nights of fun with Purling Chess and Checkers were held in collaboration with The Arts Club - Mayfair, during February & April 2022. Arts Club members, with differing skill levels, were introduced to Purling's beautiful games and enjoyed the challenge of playing against Purling team members, with James, our in-house expert, picking up the gauntlet, playing simultaneously against 10 different opponents, in the beautiful surroundings of The Arts Club.

We are coming back with new Playing Cards - summer 2022

Purling Italian Alabaster Stone Chess, featured in this Harpers Bazaar December 2022 editorial - shot in Mono, proving - "Black & White Never goes out of style".

Purling Bold series in Black & Brilliant White, featured in Net Jets magazine, with exquisite fine jewellery adding a decadent pop of colour - October 2021.