Knitted ‘Smileyoli’ at Kate’s Knitalian
This November, celebrated British textile artist Kate Jenkins will present ‘Kate’s Knitalian’ at Air Contemporary Gallery, transforming the Soho space into an immersive knitted Italian restaurant and deli. Not one serving pasta, but one entirely built around contemporary British craft with more than 100 new artworks. Kate will transform the gallery into a richly detailed Italian trattoria and deli counter, where tables are laid with hand-knitted feasts, cocktails, seafood, pastries and pasta are painstakingly crocheted stitch by stitch, and every corner celebrates the warmth, colour and theatre of Italian hospitality. Visitors will be able to book reservations online and there will be two sittings at the ‘Knitalian’ every day.
Opening on 1 November and running until 5 December 2026, Kate's Knitalian is conceived as a complete environment rather than a conventional exhibition. Visitors are invited to wander through an imagined restaurant interior, taking in countless handcrafted details that blur the boundaries between fine art, interiors, craft, and scenography.
To realise the project, Jenkins is collaborating with several makers and brands whose work reflects the richness of Italian design and craftsmanship. Among them is Balineum, the London-based design studio renowned for its handcrafted bathroom collections and artisan collaborations, which will create bespoke Italian ceramic tiles designed by the artist, exclusively for the installation with furniture and restaurant accessories from the UKs leading online dealer of vintage furniture, Merchant & Found. Additional creative partnerships will be announced ahead of the opening, each contributing authentic design elements to the immersive restaurant setting.
The exhibition follows Jenkins' acclaimed commission for Hermès New Bond Street windows, where her playful crocheted equestrian-inspired artworks are currently transforming the Maison’s flagship into a whimsical textile landscape. Internationally recognised for elevating knitting and crochet into collectable contemporary art, Jenkins has exhibited globally from museums to luxury retailers, bringing together extraordinary craftsmanship with wit and meticulous attention to detail.
Kate Jenkins says:
"I've always wanted to create an entire Italian restaurant in yarn. Italy has always inspired me—not only through its food, but through its appreciation of craftsmanship, beautiful materials and the rituals that happen around the table. At Kate’s Knitalian, visitors won't simply look at artworks on walls—they'll step into a complete restaurant where every detail has been carefully considered. Working with fellow makers, including Balineum, allows us to celebrate Italian craftsmanship in many different forms, bringing together textiles, ceramics and interiors to create something joyful, immersive and beautifully made."
Maria Morrow, founder of Air Contemporary Gallery, says:
"Kate's work perfectly embodies the spirit of our gallery—beautifully crafted, intellectually engaging and full of humour. What makes Knitalian particularly exciting is its ambition. This is not simply an exhibition of artworks but a fully realised environment that brings together contemporary craft, interior design, and installation. Collaborations with exceptional makers such as Balineum add another layer of richness, creating an experience that feels authentic, immersive and utterly transportive."
Sarah Watson, Founder and Creative Director of Balineum, “I’m firmly in the ‘run, don’t walk’ camp when it comes to seeing Kate Jenkins’ work. She could crochet a toilet seat and I’d still queue for the opening - her wit, skill and joyful imagination are completely captivating. We need more art that celebrates craft, makes us smile and enriches the soul. It’s a real joy for Balineum to play a small part in Knitalian, and to watch Kate’s extraordinary creative spirit bring this world to life.”
Part exhibition, part interior, part theatrical set, Knitalian celebrates the enduring appeal of Italian culture through making, inviting visitors to experience a restaurant where craftsmanship is the main course.
Exhibition Information
Kate’s Knitalian
Air Contemporary Gallery, 4 Ham Yard, Soho W1D 7DT situated in the courtyard of Ham Yard Hotel
Press preview: Tuesday 28 October
Opening: 1 November 2026
Until: 5 December 2026
