Building a Collection | International Law Firm, Haynes Boone

Branch Arts has been working with corporate collections for many years – we deliver each job to suit the client’s motivation; budget; space and selection process. At the end of 2025 we were delighted to work with an engaged group of lawyers on their firm’s Arts Committee.

Together with Anna Smithson, we curated a collection for their beautifully refurbished offices in the heart of St. Pauls. Combining extensive knowledge of the art world, a grounding in art history, and strong professional reputations, Susie and Anna worked closely with the firm’s Arts Committee, formed from Partners & Associates to deliver a thoughtful and well-aligned curatorial approach.

The collection brings together works sourced directly from artists’ studios as well as from partner galleries. Spanning photography, collage, print and oil painting - it highlights a carefully chosen group of contemporary UK artists whose practices reflect the breadth and energy of today’s visual culture.

Highlight pieces in the collection include a large oil paintings by Julian Brown, Kelly Washbourne, Peter Stiles and Ian Norris. Alongside prints by Jason Hicklin, Sarah Duncan and Nana Shomi we are excited that this will be a growing collection with photographs by the company’s employees showcasing the mix of talent within their team.

It was fun working with an extensive committee of art enthusiasts. Drawing on our joint expertise meant that we were able cater for the time and budget needs of the international client.

"I have been working on a series of Lagoon paintings for the last 6 years. The paintings derive from both my expressive paintings which take inspiration from my mother's Polish heritage and more controlled geometric works.

These paintings are in a sense a meeting point of all my disciplines, expression, process, colour and control. The process is formulated in the surface of the paintings which is heavily manicured through layers of of paint and sanding to give a precision finish.

At the heart of the works is a desire to make luminous paintings that play on the freedom of expression while being held together through the controlled surface."

Julian Brown, C/O Smithson Projects