Elizabeth Garouste's Whimsical Plasterglass Collection Takes Center Stage at New Solo Exhibition
Renowned French designer Elizabeth Garouste is captivating art enthusiasts worldwide with her new solo exhibition at the RALPH PUCCI (New York) Gallery featuring a stunning collection of Plasterglass works.
Known for her avant-garde designs and ability to break down conventional aesthetics while preserving the traditions of decorative art, Garouste's creations never fail to enthrall audiences. From artworks and sculptures to interiors, her work is revered for its unique style and imaginative flair.
Garouste's illustrious career began in theatre set design before partnering with Mattia Bonetti, and together, they revolutionized furniture and interiors, earning themselves the nickname "the New Barbarians." Since 2002, Garouste has shifted her focus to private artworks, social arts organizations in France, and the creation of limited edition pieces and private commissions.
Leon table lamps in black and theatrical red. Photo by Antoine Bootz.
After nearly a decade since her first show with Ralph Pucci, Garouste embarked on a new artistic journey during her residency at the RALPH PUCCI sculpture studio in Manhattan; she crafted a mesmerizing collection using their proprietary Plasterglass material. Combining influences from the Middle Ages and neoclassicism, Garouste's new pieces evoke a whimsical illusion of antiquity with non-linear patterns and biomorphic shapes. Infusing vibrant colors and even introducing a new material—mosaic—into the free-flowing sculptural forms, the final collection exudes joy and vibrancy.
“The plasterglass collections by other designers are generally realised in one sole colour, often in black or white, and I wanted my collection to play with colours to introduce a new material: mosaic.”
The Herman Mirror and Priscilla Scones in vibrant colours. Photo by Antoine Bootz.
The exhibition showcases seven exquisite Plasterglass works by Elizabeth Garouste, including the Priscilla chandelier, Priscilla sconce, Tom dining table with a marble top, Ara side table with a mosaic top, Jim console, Leon table lamp, and Herman mirror.
Each piece is a testament to Garouste's mastery of form, combining natural imperfections with theatrical lacquer in striking color combinations. The contrasting tones of China reds and blacks against softer hues infuse the collection with wit and surreal lightness, inviting viewers into a world of whimsy.
The artist working on the Herman Mirror in the atelier.
Elizabeth Garouste describes her new collection as a fusion of imagination and functionality, enhanced by the unique properties of the Plasterglass material. She shares: “It is special because it was developed in the atelier at the gallery. I was able to come to site to work on the forms, the models, like they were sculptures. The Plasterglass material works in a very particular way that has allowed me to create sculpted forms that can be produced again, which gives a huge freedom.”
The exhibition opens at the RALPH GUCCI (New York) Gallery on May 22nd, 2023, during the much anticipated NYCxDESIGN Festival. Prepare to be mesmerized by Elizabeth Garouste's captivating Plasterglass collection, where tradition meets whimsy and imagination reigns supreme.
Photography by Antoine Bootz
