Founded by Nilufar gallery owner Nina Yashar in 2012, “Squat” is a traveling exhibition that unfolds in different locations and environments, its latest incarnation having run in London this June and July. Over 100 pieces, including historic works as well as newer pieces designed by young or emerging talents, appear in the exhibit, which is housed in a renovated apartment on South Audley Street in London. The building was originally built in the 1890s and was recently reimagined as a contemporary luxury apartment. Prior “Squat” exhibits have taken place in Paris, Beirut and Milan.

“‘Squat’ is an innovative concept that combines design, art and architecture to give life to new, original and high-standard domestic landscapes,” says Yashar. “‘Squat’ is an exhibition and a curatorial and contemplative project at the same time. I have always been interested in creating new and unexpected associations between furniture and space. I like changes and challenges, which is why I decided to bring ‘Squat’ to different cities around the world. What drives me is a genuine passion for beauty and the desire to conceive creative projects that incorporate different worlds.”

Among the contemporary artists who exhibited were Lindsey Adelman, Michael Anastassiades, Caturegli Formica, David/Nicolas, Massimiliano Locatelli, Roberto Giulio Rida, Fabien Cappello, Ego Vicente and Osanna Visconti di Modrone.

“Squat takes place in a stunning refurbished Victorian property, located only a stone’s throw from Hyde Park,” says interior architect Shalini Misra, director at Shalini Misra Ltd., one of Nilufar Gallery’s partners on the project (along with Mehves Ariburnu, creative advisor at Shalini Misra). “Ample natural light and high ceilings are complemented with different layers of the finest materials and luxurious fabrics, carefully tailored and selected for each room, which highlight the inherent glamour of this historic apartment. My vision encompasses a 360-degree take on the apartment, combining art and design with my background in architecture and interiors and a great interest in real estate. This gives life to a new idea of living space and opens an ongoing dialogue between those disciplines.”