Artworks, art windows and a film series explore a life well lived.
Until 24 June 2025
Selfridges is championing early-career artists, ceramicists and filmmakers, and inviting them to consider ageing in a new light. We’re seeing a shift in life as we know it – people live longer, retire later, have second careers and side hustles, and approach ‘adulthood’ overall with a sense of optimism. In light of this, Selfridges is celebrating a life well lived through a new series of artworks, art windows and films, entitled ‘New Age’.
NEW AGE INSTALLATIONS
On Orchard Street, a new, site-specific commission by artist Rong Bao considers the journey of wisdom across life’s stages. Life Forms is a series of playful, ‘breathing’ sculptures in ice-cream colours. The architectural, tactile forms consider our fundamental biology, how we connect with built intelligence and the blurring of the line between organic and inorganic. Selfridges’s Orchard Street windows have become a public art destination, a place to discover new artists and creative ideas year-round.
Previously, these have hosted installations and artworks by Corbin Shaw, Alfie Kungu, Elisa, Jonathan Schofield, Sarabande and Juliette Minchin. 
NEW AGE CERAMICS
On Duke Street, a triptych of windows conceived by the Selfridges creative team reframes the journey of ageing. Visitors are invited to pause and reflect on life’s unforgettable moments and ask themselves the questions: “What defines a life well lived?”, “Which moments are worth commemorating?” and “Where to next?”.
At the heart of the windows, a display of ten handcrafted “trophies” made by ceramic artists consider which moments to commemorate. These milestones include “first best friend”, “first bra”, “first heartbreak” and “first divorce”. The artists creating work for this one-off, vibrant installation are Alex Sickling, Daisy Tortuga, Dea Domus, Jude Jelfs, Hal Haines, L&Clay Ceramics, Me Old China, Natalia Traintafylli, Ruth Wilde and Sunshine Child.
NEW AGE FILM
As part of its ongoing support of artistic talent, Selfridges has also commissioned four filmmakers to create a new, four-part film series exploring life in four chapters, exploring what is a life well lived, premiering at The Cinema at Selfridges and online at the end of May. For the series, each filmmaker considers a different ‘chapter’ of our lives: ages 0–25, 25–50, 50–75 and 75–100.
I
BLOSSOM
Directed by Zaineb Abelque
Life starts here. Abelque focusses on the first chapter of our lives, when throwaway experiences become world-shaping memories, through the eyes of siblings under the age of 25. Collectively, they create a chorus of voices, contemplating their identities and reflecting on the fun and vulnerability of growing up together.
II
FLUX
Directed by Tash Tung
Distance swells, horizons broaden, and uncertainty hangs in the air. In this meditative second chapter, Tung turns the lens on her own romantic relationship. Together with her partner, Ange, they consider what the future holds. Is it time to adapt?
III
FREEFALL
Directed by Aria Shahrokhshahi
Now you’re flying. Meet Ruth – a skydiver, doctor and beekeeper – as she embarks on her latest jump. “You have to live for now,” she says. “You’ve got to make it count.” For our third chapter, Shahrokshshahi documents the 62-year-old’s reflections on making your own way, being open to change and committing to new adventures – defying all limits.
IV
ETERNITY
Directed by Dorothy Allen-Pickard
Allen-Pickard meets 79-year-old Valerie and her husband, Allan, 84, in the final chapter. Together for 57 years, they’re each other’s biggest fans and fiercest critics. Laughing about shared highs and having played through the lows, they muse about what lies ahead: What happens to your soul? What might the end mean? 
The films will be shown at a special screening on Wednesday 28 May and released online on Thursday 29 May.
Emily Derrick, Head of Concepts at Selfridges, says: “New Age celebrates the four chapters of life and how we make the most of each of them. These newly commissioned artworks and films celebrate milestones, changes of direction, epiphanies and some mistakes as we travel from the start to the end of the road. Selfridges has always championed new artists and new ways of thinking; we hope that visitors will think about the big questions we are proposing, and maybe it will prompt a new approach to life and living longer!”
Editor’s Notes
The artists
Installation
Rong Bao @rongbaobaobao
Films
Zaineb Abelque @zeeeeeea
Dorothy Allen-Pickard @dorothyallenpickard
Aria Shahrokhshani @ariamark
Tash Tung @tashtung
Ceramics
First Swipe, Me Old China, Nick Dynan @me.old.china
First Best Friend, Sunshine Child, Abbie Brewer @_sunshine_child_
First Bra, Natalia Triantafylli @nataliatriantafylli
First Piercing, Jude Jelfs @judejelfs
First Heartbreak, Dasiy Tortuga @daisy_tortuga
First Home, Hal Haines @halhaines.studio
First Child, Alex Sickling @alexsickling
First Loss , Dea Domus @dea_domus
First Divorce, LandClay Ceramics, Lesley Boerio @landclayceramics
First Time I Forgot My Age, Ruth Wilde @ruth__wilde
For further press information or images please contact Rebecca Ward for Selfridges:
rebecca@rebeccaward.co.uk
+44(0)7977 071450
