“Elysian Dream” at R & Company.
Photo: courtesy of R & Company.
9 Must-See Collectible Design Shows to Check Out in May
From Casey McCafferty’s new wood works at Gallery Fumi in London to Rogan Gregory’s latest creations at R & Company in New York
“Vas Florum: Resina Botanica,” at Carpenters Workshop Gallery in New York. Photo: Benjamin Baccarani, courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery
1. “Vas Florum: Resina Botanica” at Carpenters Workshop Gallery | New York
Carpenters Workshop Gallery has just unveiled Marcin Rusak’s latest resin creations in “Vas Florum: Resina Botanica,” the Polish designer’s first solo show in New York since 2017. On display through May 31 are undulating vessels embedded with a range of flora curated to evoke a specific memory or person, including Rusak’s grandfather, a self-styled botanist who cross-bred orchids and other species. Also showcased are patinated bronze tables with stone-inspired shapes and resin tops that feature a mesmerizing galaxy of plants.
“Earthly Bodies” at Sarah Myerscough Gallery in London. Photo: Sarah Myerscough Gallery/anwyn howarth
2. “Earthly Bodies” at Sarah Myerscough Gallery | London
A bewitching trove of contemporary ceramics has gone on view at Sarah Myerscough Gallery in London’s new group exhibition. The Mayfair space’s third major showcase to focus on the art of pottery, “Earthly Bodies” is open through June 1 and shines a spotlight on clay works that embrace the human form, which has historically provided ceramicists with a wellspring of inspiration. Among the artists showcased are Luke Fuller, Yoshimi Futamura, Anne Marie Laureys, Janet Lines, Nuala O’Donovan, and Jiwon Park.
“Elysian Dream” at R & Company. Photo: courtesy of R & Company
3. “Elysian Dream” at R & Company | New York
Sculptor Rogan Gregory is a master at conjuring bold furnishings, lighting, and accessories imbued with a natural essence, almost as if they were plucked from an otherworldly landscape. For “Elysian Dream,” on view at R & Company through August 9, he installed a pair of contrasting domestic settings: an airy salon and a moody boudoir—both filled with one-of-a-kind creations that hew to his signature style of bodacious curves and striking silhouettes. A clear standout is the luscious king bed upholstered in chocolate shearling, a dream unto itself.
“Fabien Dubrunfaut: Take A Seat” at Moderne Gallery. Photo: Moderne Gallery
4. “Fabien Dubrunfaut: Take A Seat” at Moderne Gallery | Philadelphia
An array of arresting chairs by Fabien Dubrunfaut are now on view at Philadelphia’s Moderne Gallery, which represents the French artisan in the United States. A spiritual successor to Studio Craft Movement pioneers such as George Nakashima, Dubrunfaut has been conceiving sculptural furnishings from American hardwoods since launching his bespoke furniture practice in 2019, after a career specializing in architectural millwork and high-end residential cabinetry. On display through May 31, the latest pieces feature exposed joinery and eye-catching contours—both sculptural and comfortable all at once.
5. “Carolwood” at Albertz Benda | Los Angeles
Beloved for his signature graffiti-style murals and canvases that belied potent themes including religious dogmatism and ribald sexuality, Keith Haring also dabbled in terracotta, a time-honored medium that he infused with his own streetwise aesthetic. Those unorthodox works from the 1980s inspired Australian ceramic artist Jake Clark’s new show, which will be on view at L.A. gallery Albertz Benda from May 16 through June 29. Dubbed “Carolwood,” the solo exhibition presents an array of evocative ashtrays, planters, and bird baths—all of which comprise miniature worlds that reference Hollywood landmarks and iconography. The result is a humorous but ultimately loving portrayal of the City of Angels.
Casey McCafferty with the Gaeta Cabinet High, made of sandblasted ash. Photo: Courtesy of Gallery FUMI
6. “Head Hand Foot” at Gallery Fumi | London
Marking his debut exhibition with London’s Gallery Fumi, which is now representing him globally, Casey McCafferty has unveiled “Head Hand Foot,” a solo show featuring his latest sculptural objects, each of which has its own distinct personality. Based in New Jersey, McCafferty is known for pushing the bounds of woodworking, in the tradition of master sculptors such as Isamu Noguchi and Wendell Castle. The latest crop—all completed in 2024—features stunning cabinets, benches, tables, chairs, and totems, including Hag Stones, a string of pebble-sized pieces of Ash, Red Elm, Walnut, White Oak, and Gray Elm stacked together.
“Floris Wubben: Brick” at The Future Perfect. Photo: Joe Kramm
7. “Floris Wubben: Brick” at The Future Perfect | New York
Sourced from the northern Dutch region of the Dollard, distinctive red clay has long been used for brick-making, a process that has captured the imagination of Amsterdam-based artist Floris Wubben. Known for creating cutting-edge ceramic furnishings that usually feature a glossy sheen, Wubben has taken a new approach for his latest show at The Future Perfect in New York, aptly titled “Brick.” Now through June 21, visitors will find an array of rust-colored pieces made using hand-built extrusion machines, a method that borrows from traditional construction techniques.
“Presence” by John Koga. Photo: Courtesy of ralph pucci
8. Presence by John Koga at Ralph Pucci | Miami
Hawaii-based sculptor John Koga’s new stone works are now on view at Ralph Pucci’s Miami outpost in an outdoor exhibition called “Presence.” “My relationship with these stones starts with a connection to form,” explains Koga. “I like to celebrate nature’s bold beauty by cutting and restacking the form in a standing or sitting position.” The pieces are further enhanced thanks to Pucci’s commitment to the arts, demonstrated with a site-specific performance by Dance Now! Miami that inaugurated the installation on May 8. Also on view is a limited-edition of five photographs by Colombian photographer Juan Pablo Castro called “Blackened Visions of Tomorrow,” inspired by Surrealism and Koga’s installation.
Porky Hefer’s new show, “no bats, no chocolate,” at Galerie56 in Tribeca. Photo: courtesy of Antoine Bootz
9. “No Bats, No Chocolate” at Galerie56 | New York
New York’s Galerie56 and Cape Town’s Southern Guild have teamed up to bring Porky Hefer’s latest animal-inspired works to Tribeca, in an exhibition called “no bats, no chocolate.” Each upholstered piece, all of which are meant to be climbed and inhabited, takes the form of a different animal, including the titular bat, who plays a crucial role in the larger ecosystem. (Several species of the flying mammal pollinate the cacao plant.) On display at Galerie56 through August 26, Hefer’s menagerie also includes a walrus, ladybird beetle, zebra, wildebeest, bushbaby, beaver, and crocodile.
Cover: “Elysian Dream” at R & Company.
Photo: courtesy of R & Company.
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