British fashion designer Paul Smith has been receiving stamped object for over fifteen years through the post from an unknown admirer. Starting from October 13, for the first time in Europe, a large part of Paul’s collection of Stamped Objects will be exhibited in the Paul Smith shop in Antwerp.

The ‘Stamped Collection’ includes a large variety of everyday objects that have been stamped and
posted to Paul, all of which show a real sense of humor. The objects first started arriving in the mid 90s, without packaging, from the United States. A toy car, a leather football, rubber gloves and even a bicycle saddle are amongst the many weird and wonderful stamped objects that Paul has received.

Paul Smith explains: “For many many years I have been receiving these crazy things from an unknown fan – male? Female? It’s really amazing. It seems to me to be more artistic than a lot of so called art which is revered around the world. Objects such as a ski, a football, a chair, a surfboard have arrived through the post but NEVER in a box – always with the address and stamps on the actual article. I find it fascinating and intriguing but really don’t want to know who the sender is.”

The stamped objects are usually housed in Paul’s office alongside the quirky curios that he has
collected from around the globe. However, they have gained notoriety amongst Paul’s fans after a
much celebrated exhibition at the Daelim Contemporary Art Museum which took place in Korea last
year. This was the first time that the entire collection had been displayed for all to see. It was a wonderful occasion for people to share in Paul’s intrigue.

Paul Smith – Kelderstraat 2-3, 2000 Antwerp
Exhibition dates: 13th October – 11th November 2011

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Paul Smith