The Artful Life: 6 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week
From a jewel-box bakery in Brooklyn from James Beard Award winner Chad Robertson to the return of Anna Petrus’s pewter lions in a painted garden at Svenskt Tenn
1. At Svenskt Tenn, Anna Petrus’s Pewter Lions Return in a Painted Garden
Anna Petrus became one of the Swedish Grace movement’s most prominent figures after her breakthrough at the 1925 Paris World’s Fair, where her work in cast iron earned a coveted gold medal and caught the eye of Estrid Ericson, founder of legacy Stockholm design shop Svenskt Tenn. The first woman in Sweden to work in cast iron for the Näfveqvarn ironworks, Petrus went on to create some of the emporium’s most enduring objects, including a pewter lion that has been cast from the same molds since 1927. A century after their collaboration began, Svenskt Tenn is celebrating Petrus’s artistry with “Sequence of Spaces” at its Stockholm flagship on the city’s waterfront. The exhibition brings together pewter and cast-iron pieces from the emporium’s archive and sculptures on loan from Petrus’s family.
Among the lesser-known early pieces Svenskt Tenn has reissued are an elegant pewter lamp base, its surface ornamented with female figures and grape clusters in relief, and a substantial mirror frame crowned by a reclining lion. Backdropping the pieces are Spanish painter Elvira Solana’s murals depicting painted courtyards that give way to gardens with dancing figures. —Ryan Waddoups
2. Louis Vuitton Travels to Shanghai and Thailand for New Additions to Fashion Eye Book Series
A brand known to recognize how fashion and travel intertwine, leading fashion house Louis Vuitton has now crossed two new destinations off their list as part of their extensive Fashion Eye Photography Collection. On the occasion of Paris Photo running November 12-15, two new tomes spotlighting the city of Shanghai and the country of Thailand will transport readers to these areas through striking photography of both its people and landscapes. Leading fashion photographer George Hoyningen-Huene spearheads the Thailand tome, where his field notes and personal photography taken throughout the country have been compiled to present an authentic representation of architecture, residents, and history.
For the Shanghai addition, photographer Liu Shuwei showcases the city not as the bustling hub visitors may know it to be, but captures moments of peace and serenity. Having lived there for a decade, softer elements such as residents’ everyday lives, fallen leaves on the ground, or empty roads are highlighted through Shuwei’s polaroid-esque style of photography. — Shelby Black
3. The Macallen Whiskey Celebrates The Spirit of New Orleans with Local Painter Hill Spriggins’s Craftsmanship
The Macallan Whiskey, in collaboration with local artist Hill Spriggins, has unveiled “A Night on Earth, The Finale,” the fifth and final release in its “A Night on Earth” collection, bringing the series to a close with a special edition single malt Scotch whisky. Inspired by the music, community, and vibrant culture of New Orleans, Louisiana, the spirit captures the warmth and optimism of the New Year through exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. “‘A Night on Earth’ has become a cherished collection celebrating New Year traditions from around the world,” Macallan Creative Director Jaume Ferras said. “It is fitting that this final chapter honors New Orleans — a city renowned for its creativity, resilience and extraordinary sense of community.”
Matured in a harmonious combination of sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks, the whisky was crafted by The Macallan team to echo the soulful flavors and spirited aromas of the city. Widely regarded as the birthplace of modern cocktail craft, New Orleans’ spirit of flavor invention inspires an expression that is unmistakably The Macallan. Continuing The Macallan’s tradition of artistic collaborations for its end-of-year releases, New Orleans native and painter Spriggins translated her memories of citywide celebrations into three bold, multi-layered artworks, bringing her oil paintings to life. —Rebecca Anderson
4. Legendary Restaurateur Michael Chow’s Deep Ties to the Art World Go on View at Gagosian
Michael Chow, the visionary behind the iconic Mr. Chow Chinese restaurants, has long been a central figure in the art world as a collector, patron, and practicing visual artist. Now, a two-part exhibition is showcasing highlights from his 60-year collecting history, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Urs Fischer, and many others. Last week, “Friends and Legends: The Collection of Michael Chow” debuted at Gagosian’s Beverly Hills location, where it was on view through November 7. Now, the collection is en route to New York, where it will go on view from November 14 through December 22 in conjunction with the fall auction season. “Art and artists have been at the heart of my life,” said Chow. “The privilege of living with these treasures and sharing them with the public has brought me great joy. Every piece carries a story, a seat at the table, and a cherished friendship—and over time, these artists have proven to be the greats of our century. Now, it’s time to see them go out into the world and have my fifteen minutes.” Additional highlights include a half-length portrait by Hockney and a work made from paint and plate fragments, including china from Mr. Chow, by Julian Schnabel.—Alexandria Sillo
5. Austin, Texas, Gets a Collectible Design Gallery Filled with an Inspired Mix of Artisan Goods
Beyond its bohemian spirit, Austin, Texas, is further cementing its position as a cultural capital with a distinguished art scene, community of inspired craftsmen, and vibrant cluster of design-forward hospitality spaces. Adding to the rich tapestry is Seer Gallery, a new space offering a curated selection of artisan furniture, lighting, ceramics, and more, organized by Seer Studio founder Scott Martin. “There are truly discerning design creatives in Central Texas, and a growing collector base to match, but it can still feel incredibly siloed,” says Martin, who aims to foster a connection between makers and connoisseurs inside the 19th-century building punctuated with period details like original brickwork and exposed timber beams. Here, visitors will find pieces by Cadis, Casey Zablocki, Louise Roe, Studio Ford, and Thomas Yang Studio as well as furniture by Seer Studio, including the firm’s first dining chairs, case goods, and a modular sectional. “I hope Seer Gallery can contribute to a broader shift already taking place as Texas becomes an increasingly important destination for contemporary and collectible design. There is a real appetite for more, and I think we’re only at the beginning.”—Jill Sieracki
6. Tartine’s Chad Robertson Whips Up a Jewel-Box Bakery in Brooklyn
As co-founder of San Francisco’s celebrated Tartine, whose signature country loaf is prized for its deeply browned crust and chewy interior, James Beard Award winner Chad Robertson helped spark a sourdough revolution in the United States. Now he’s bringing his talents to Brooklyn with Altbau, a jewel box of a bakery set within a 7,500-square-foot, two-level space in Williamsburg. An open kitchen offers a glimpse into the dedicated bread and pastry rooms, while upstairs, diners gather beneath timber beams and broad skylights. Modular furniture developed with Aidan Reinhold stacks away for classes and other gatherings. A stone mill grinds grains sourced from regional farms, yielding covetable loaves that share the counter with flaky apple turnovers and cheesecake tarts. There’s also a nutty buckwheat tea cake—an ideal companion to a cup of coffee from small-batch roaster Condor. —R.W.