Art
In Bloom: A Conversation with the Founders of Wondering People
There is a quiet revolution happening in the art world, and at its heart are Isabella and Sophie—best friends, co-founders, and the visionary duo behind Wondering People.
Moving away from the "white cube" formality of traditional galleries, they’ve built a space that feels like a home: warm, instinctive, and deeply personal.
As they prepare for their upcoming exhibition, Primavera, at Sophie Breitmeyer, we sat down with Isabella to discuss the gallery’s origins, their unique approach to curation, and the artists bringing the spirit of spring to life.
The Art of Connection: Meet Wondering People
To start, could you tell us a bit about yourselves and the philosophy behind Wondering People?
Isabella: "I’m Isabella, and I co-founded Wondering People with my best friend, Sophie. We’re an online gallery championing emerging and mid-career artists from the UK and beyond. Our roster has grown from 20 artists to over 60, spanning everything from painting and photography to lighting and decorative sculpture.
Everything we do is united by a specific aesthetic—a sensitivity to material, form, and narrative. We see ourselves as part of a new generation rethinking how art is collected. Whether through our online platform, our bi-annual ‘HOME’ design collections, or our art advisory service, our goal is to bring a distinct energy and curatorial integrity to every project."
How did this journey begin? What was the "spark" that launched the gallery?
Isabella: "It started in early 2020. Sophie and I were both living in Amsterdam, working jobs that felt like a means to an end. We both felt deeply connected to art, but we couldn’t find a gallery that felt approachable or offered affordable work that actually inspired us. So, we decided to create it ourselves.
What began as a side project with a few artist friends quickly snowballed. When lockdown hit, it unexpectedly gave us the time to build our online presence and define the brand. By the summer of 2021, we held our first physical exhibition, and we haven't looked back since."
A Warm Approach to Curation
Your curation style feels very distinct. How do you choose the artists you work with?
Isabella: "Our style is warm and instinctive. We want to move away from the cold, formal gallery model toward a 'lived-in' experience. We want people to be able to imagine these pieces in their homes.
Our selection process always starts with an immediate emotional reaction. We’re drawn to artists with a strong sense of material and honest practices. Ultimately, we only work with artists we genuinely believe in and want to grow alongside."
Spotlight: The Primavera Exhibition
Your upcoming exhibition is titled Primavera. What is the story behind that name?
Isabella: "‘Primavera’ is the Italian and Spanish word for Spring, marking a season of renewal and change. We were also inspired by Botticelli’s La Primavera—that iconic sense of movement, awakening, and nature coming into bloom. We asked each artist to respond to those themes of emergence and transformation through their own individual practice."
The lineup for this show is incredible. Could you introduce us to some of the featured artists?
The exhibition features a diverse group of makers, each interpreting the "Primavera" theme through their chosen medium:
- Camille Biddell: Based in Glasgow, Camille creates contemporary slipware that playfully bridges the gap between function and decoration, drawing on the heritage of British ceramics.
- Kate Cornelius: Working from Bristol, Kate’s ceramic vessels embrace "nature’s irregularity." She uses intricate Mishima and Neriage techniques to create patterns that celebrate the beauty of imperfection.
- Harry Cory Wright: A multidisciplinary artist from North Norfolk, Harry explores the "sense of place." His loose, ink-line drawings capture the essence of a landscape with incredible minimalism.
- Giulio Ghirardi: A Milan-based photographer and director, Giulio’s work—focused on architecture and portraiture—is documentary in style, captured through both analogue and digital lenses.
- Jay Harper: A British painter who works instinctively with oil on wood. Her pieces are meditations on muted colour and shape, often wiping away layers of paint to reveal the history of the work beneath.
Mark Your Calendars:
The Big Opening: Tuesday, 5th May at 10:00 am
The Exhibition: Discover our new ready to wear pieces alongside curated works by Camille Biddell, Jay Harper, Ali Hewson, Charlotte Salt, and Kate Cornelius.
Where: 36 Elizabeth Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9NZ
