French artist Gil Bruvel is known for his pixelated wooden sculpture that's made of thousands of wooden sticks.
I came across his sculpture by chance when I was walking past a gallery and immediately captured by the meditative state of the face. I was mesmerized.
IG @gilbruvel
Two years ago, I met James Patmore at the newly opened SoHo House in Wynwood, Miami. James was the head of SoHo House Design between 2018 - 2024. Eight months ago, James moved to San Francisco to head the Product Design at Arhaus, an upscale US furniture brand.
Born and raised in London, James has spent the past 17 years as a product designer. In this episode, James opens up to us about his design career.
Andrea Spiridonakou was a former ballerina with Miami City Ballet. Then she started her second career as a fashion designer after graduating from FIT.
Right now, she has a bespoke wool jacket line exclusively available at Bergdorf Goodman. Currently based in Miami, Andrea showed us her studio at Bakehouse Art Complex.
Metals open up when heated like skin pores. I was at awe when I first saw Doris’s “Oculus” at Craft Contemporary in LA.
Trained as an architect, Professor Sung now is the director of undergraduate architecture program at USC. Driven by strong curiosity, Doris dived into innovative materials to find solutions for sustainable architecture. She chose thermo bimetal to create energy efficient facades for buildings, in response to “heat island effect” in modern day metropolis.
IG @dosustudio
Like every fashionista, I first discovered Josh Raiffe's glass handbag from Coperni's 2022 Paris Fashion Show - Gigi Hadid carried the transparent glass purse. And that's how Josh rose to stardom overnight in the high fashion world. During Art Basel Miami 2023, I had the chance to see the glass purse in person at Patbo's new store in Design District.
At this year's Design Miami, Josh exhibited his new collection.
In this podcast, Josh showed us his sketchbook - all the original drawings of the glass purses.
I discovered Nader's latest lighting collection "Vessels" at Design Miami this month. Made of handmade ceramics, this collection is inspired by fungus, which happen to be one of my obsessions. And I knew I had to talk to the designer.
Currently based in Dubai, Nader studied Lighting Design at Parsons after his bachelor degree in Architecture. Always wanted to be a product designer, Dader is now fulfilling his destiny.
At Design Miami 2024, I discovered Tadeáš's work - "Bloom of Bones". It's made up of three white wood pieces - a chair, a mirror and a chandelier. It's mystical and lyrical.
I first came across Anya's art at SCAD Museum of Art in October and I was immediately captured by the color of her work. When I looked closer, it was also 3D. Then, much to be my delight, I saw her pieces again at this year's Design Miami. A graduate of SCAD, Anya grew up in Geneva, Swiss and is now based in Austin, Texas.
https://www.anyamolyviatis.com/
This past week at Art Basel Miami 2024, I first came across Moffat's work and its originality caught my attention right away. When I looked closer, much to my delight, it was made of computer keyboards and toothbrush heads. I thought to myself, it would be the kind of art that an executive at Apple or Google would collect.
Moffat is known for his artwork that utilize recycled everyday objects - aka trash. He sees beauty in trash and transform them into something playful and artful.
Janet Echelman is known for her whimsical colorful giant installation made with nets. I first experienced her art at Renwick Gallery in DC, the Smithsonian gallery right across from the white house. I was blown away. While I was lying down the topography carpet, also designed by Janet, and watching the light projections on the installation right above me, it was such a meditative process.
Paul is the fourth generation San Franciscan. I met Paul and his husband during Paris Photo 2023. He was carrying a brochure of his art collection - some 150 pieces. He showed me his favorite pieces from his collection. I felt his passion for art. Paul is a trial attorney and worked under Kamala Harris when she was the District Attorney for SF. Find out more on this podcast.
IG @pauldavid777
Tia Wenkman is a ballerina with Royal Swedish Ballet.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Tia started dancing at 5. Now 21, Tia moved to Stockholm this summer to start her dancing career with one of the oldest ballet companies - Royal Swedish Ballet.
Born and raised in LA, Michelle Lebowski was a professional ballerina until her injury at 25. Recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara, now Michelle is working at a non-profit in fund raising.
I met Robert Lange at his gallery RLS in downtown Charleston. Every first Friday is the art night in Charleston. Unaware of the Charleston art night, I stumbled upon his gallery on the first Friday opening in October. The swing in the middle of the gallery caught my attention, as well as the two studios on site.
A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Robert visited Charleston after graduation and fell in love with the city. He decided to open a gallery in downtown Charleston, along with his wife Megan, whom he met at RISD. Last month, Robert just celebrated the 20th anniversary of RLS gallery.
RLS also has an Artist Residency Program that you may apply directly on their website.
https://www.robertlangestudios.com/
Born and raised in Paris, Anouchka is an attorney during the day and photographer at night. We met at SoHo House Paris in 2023 during Paris Photo week. Anouchka invited me to her photography exhibition and we became instant friends.