Union Bancaire Privée
Art Acumen was appointed by Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) to curate the art collection for its London headquarters. In collaboration with MCM Architecture, we created a contemporary collection inspired by the bank's entrepreneurial spirit, human-centred approach and commitment to long-term stewardship.
Bringing together leading contemporary artists across a range of disciplines, the collection creates moments of curiosity, reflection and conversation throughout the workplace.
The collection was developed around five core creative pillars: entrepreneurial spirit, human connection, heritage, responsibility and future-thinking innovation. Rather than illustrating these themes literally, we sought artists whose practices embodied qualities such as curiosity, craftsmanship, transformation, precision, care and long-term thinking.
Designed by MCM Architecture, UBP's London headquarters brings together refined hospitality, contemporary workplace design and exceptional attention to detail. The architectural vision sought to create an environment that feels both sophisticated and welcoming, reflecting UBP's distinctive position as an entrepreneurial, family-owned private bank. The interiors balance elegance with warmth, creating spaces that support meaningful client relationships, collaboration and focused work.
The final collection brings together a diverse range of contemporary artists working across painting, textiles, photography, mixed media and generative art. Artists including Lisa Marie Price, Andrew Mackenzie, Andrea Alkalay, Emily Moore, Jenny Pockley and Allan Forsythe were selected for their ability to communicate ideas of transformation, precision, heritage, craftsmanship and human connection through their practice.
Jenny Pockley's atmospheric cityscapes transform familiar urban landmarks into luminous, contemplative landscapes. Working with softened forms and delicate palettes, she captures the changing relationship between light, architecture and memory, creating works that sit between representation and abstraction.
Within the UBP collection, Pockley's work reflects themes of continuity, renewal and endurance, offering moments of calm reflection while celebrating the enduring character of the built environment.
Art Acumen worked closely with MCM throughout the project, ensuring that the art strategy was fully integrated into the architectural narrative rather than applied as a finishing touch. Responding to the spatial qualities, material palette and intended use of each area, the collection was carefully curated to enhance the experience of the workplace and reinforce the values embedded within the design.
Particular emphasis was placed on process-led practices and artists whose work demonstrates a deep commitment to materiality, experimentation and thoughtful execution. Many of the selected works explore themes of landscape, memory, mapping, rhythm and perception, reflecting both the intellectual rigour and human focus that define UBP's culture.
The result is a carefully layered collection that balances warmth with sophistication, creating an environment that feels both welcoming and intellectually engaging. More than a decorative scheme, the collection acts as a visual expression of UBP's identity, supporting meaningful conversations while reinforcing the company's values through the power of contemporary art.
Andrea Alkalay's Landscape n Landscape series explores the relationship between people, memory and the environments we inhabit. Working through photography and careful observation, Alkalay examines how landscapes hold traces of human activity, history and perception, encouraging viewers to look beyond the surface and consider the multiple narratives embedded within a place.
The series aligns closely with UBP's curatorial theme,"Curious Energy, Human at Heart," through its combination of intellectual enquiry and human-centred storytelling. Alkalay's practice invites a deeper reflection on how we interpret the world around us, mirroring UBP's commitment to curiosity, understanding and meaningful relationships.
Within the collection, Landscape on Landscape contributes a thoughtful and contemplative voice, encouraging exploration, reflection and discovery. Its layered examination of landscape, memory and perception resonates with UBP's values of insight, long-term thinking and a desire to look beyond the obvious in pursuit of deeper understanding
"The collection captures the essence of who we are as a business. Entrepreneurial and ambitious, yet deeply human.”
Lisa-Marie Price's practice is rooted in a deep sensitivity to materials, ecological awareness and sustainable making. Working with natural processes and carefully considered materials, her work encourages a slower, more mindful engagement with the environment and the interconnected systems that shape our world.
Her practice aligns closely with UBP's values of commitment, partnership and sustainability, bringing a thoughtful and responsible perspective to the collection. Price's work reflects the importance of long-term thinking and stewardship, qualities that sit at the heart of UBP's approach to building enduring relationships and creating value for future generations. Within the workplace, her artworks offer moments of quiet reflection, reinforcing the collection's broader themes of care, responsibility and meaningful progress
“We wanted a workplace that reflected the curiosity, expertise and long-term thinking that define our approach. The artwork creates moments of reflection and conversation while reinforcing the character and identity of UBP.”
Allan Forsyth's abstract photographic works explore the relationship between structure, rhythm and organic movement. Through layered compositions and a carefully controlled visual language, he transforms familiar forms into dynamic abstractions that reveal hidden patterns and connections
Within the UBP collection, Forsyth's work embodies precision, agility and transformation. Balancing instinct with control, his images reflect the ability to navigate complexity with clarity, mirroring UBP's approach to combining entrepreneurial energy with thoughtful decision-making.