Michael Graves is feted with a retrospective in New Jersey

Architectural model of a building
Architect Michael Graves is the subject of a retrospective now running at Grounds for Sculpture, a 42-acre not-for-profit sculpture park located in Hamilton, New Jersey. 
(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)
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Fifty years may now be an obligatory cornerstone in life, but five decades in business is still truly a marvel. Architect Michael Graves is one of few who can celebrate that professional milestone, and is justly the subject of a retrospective now running at Grounds for Sculpture, a 42-acre not-for-profit sculpture park located in Hamilton, New Jersey. 'Past as Prologue' not only presents some of Graves' most seminal architecture and product design work, but also features never-seen-before sketches, drawings and artwork that chart his creative evolution right up to present day.

Taking over several buildings in the park, as well as occupying its grounds, 'Past as Prologue' lovingly juxtaposes Graves' architectural and design accomplishments with unexpected works of art. From intricately detailed models of Denver Central Library (1994) to his iconic 1984 tea kettle for Alessi and his range of bowls for Stuben Glass, Graves' breadth is remarkable. In addition to products, models and furniture, the exhibition offers a rare insight into Graves' working process with sketches of recognisable projects in progress, including one of Taiwan's National Museum of Prehistory.

Visitors can also get an in-depth look at the Linear City project, which Graves worked on together with architect Peter Eisenman back in the 1960s, long before either architect had gained recognition. The series of pencil and pastel sketches articulate an urban plan comprised of two parallel strips, one for industry and the other for homes, retail and services. 'Reminiscing over 50 years of projects is wonderful for me, but I am most excited about how the future of our practice is evolving from the energetic collaboration of our disciplines,' Graves said. 

There's plenty of Graves on view in New York City too; Studio Vendome is in the midst of showing a collection of his landscape and still life paintings. Curated by Jane Adlin, who was an associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the exhibition comprises over 60 works that highlight Graves' favoured places, such as idyllic countryside vistas and the Mausoleum of Helena in Rome, as well as intimate still life compositions - a true reflection of the places and spaces he once inhabited. Together, both shows form a holistic tribute to one deeply creative soul.

Model pyramid constructed from blocks, beside a stick model of a pyramid

Titled 'Past as Prologue' the exhibtion presents some of Graves' most seminal architecture and product design work alongside never-seen-before sketches, drawings and artwork.  8

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Michael Graves

'Reminiscing over 50 years of projects is wonderful for me, but I am most excited about how the future of our practice is evolving from the energetic collaboration of our disciplines,' Graves said

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

A white shelving unit with white kitchen utensils

Taking over several buildings in the park, as well as occupying its grounds, 'Past as Prologue' juxtaposes Graves' architectural and design accomplishments with unexpected works of art.  

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Black push button telephone alongside prototypes and renderings

The iconic black Push Button Telephone - one of the many products that Graves designed for Target between 1998 and 2013. - is displayed alongside original sketches, prototypes and renderings. 

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Silver kettle with maroon bird at the end of the spout

Graves' 1984 Tea Kettle with the whistling bird for Alessi is one of the most recognisable items on display. 

(Image credit: Courtesy of Michael Graves Design Group)

Sketches on three sheets of yellow paper hang from the roof

The exhibition offers a rare insight into Graves' working process with sketches of recognisable projects in progress.  

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Coloured sketches on yellow paper hang on the wall in a grid

Visitors can also get an in-depth look at the Linear City project, which Graves worked on together with architect Peter Eisenman back in the 1960s. 

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Sketches of architectural layouts including public congestion areas

The series of pencil and pastel sketches articulate an urban plan comprised of two parallel strips, one for industry and the other for homes, retail and services

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Sketch with the words "the city must be capable of growth and change"

Another sketch from Linear City by Michael Graves and Peter Eisenman,1965. 

(Image credit: Photography: Ken Ek. Courtesy of Michael Graves & Associates)

Sketch of Taiwan's National Museum of Prehistory

Other never-seen-before work includes sketches for Taiwan's National Museum of Prehistory

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

An untitled sketch by Graves in pencil on clay coated paper

An untitled sketch by Graves in pencil on clay coated paper

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Pencil sketches of the whistling bird feature for kettle

'Whistling Bird Studies', by Michael Graves

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Entrance to Martel College

Martel College, Rice University, 2003.

(Image credit: Photography: Richard Payne. Courtesy of Michael Graves & Associates)

Curved building looking inwards to a green pyramid with windows

Hyatt Regency Fukuoka, Japan, 1990-1993

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Long, multi-levelled building, tapering to a curve at one end

International Finance Corporation Headquarters, Washington DC, 1992 - 1997, 2005

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Aerial image of a skyscraper in New York

425 Fifth Avenue, New York, 2000 - 2003

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Light fitting consisting of multiple white cylinders hanging from a silver ring

Also on show: 'Gala' by Michael Graves for ILEX Architectural Lighting, which launched last May during New York Design Week at WantedDesign

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

Painted landscape with a round building and trees

There's plenty of Graves on view in New York City too; Studio Vendome is in the midst of showing a collection of his landscape and still life paintings. The exhibition comprises over 60 works that highlight Graves' favoured places, such as idyllic countryside vistas seen in works like 'Shaker Barn', 2009

(Image credit: Photography: Zach Teris. Courtesy of Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton NJ)

ADDRESS

Grounds for Sculpture
18 Fairgrounds Road
Trenton
New Jersey

Studio Vendome
330 Spring Stre

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Pei-Ru Keh

Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.

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