PAD London

For PAD London, David Morris unveiled a striking exhibition space inspired by the atmospheric grandeur of the Parisian opera. The design drew from Claude Debussy’s enigmatic Pelléas et Mélisande, in particular a haunting stage direction describing a long-forgotten fountain – its depths unknowable – where the sea and sky finally come into view.

“The sun barely manages to break through and cast light on the miraculous yet abandoned fountain which used to heal the eyes of the blind and whose waters appear to be bottomless. From the walls one can see the sea, and, at last, the clear sky.”
— Claude Debussy, Pelléas et Mélisande, Paris National Opera

Infused with this feeling of reverie, the installation unfolded like a theatrical mise-en-scène. Showcases hovered along a low horizon, suspended in shadow and illuminated as if by a celestial scene – each piece of jewellery catching the last light of dusk, or flickering like a constellation of stars.

Toward the rear, a discreet VIP salon offered a more contemplative experience. Here, archival photographs, original sketches, and personal ephemera from the Morris family’s private collection revealed a seldom-seen side of the Maison – from its origins in post-war London to its rise as a global house of exceptional gemstones and craftsmanship.

Suspended between memory and illusion, the installation invited guests into a world of quiet drama – where light, story, and artistry came together in a moment of stillness.