When Brazilian modernist designer Sérgio Rodrigues passed away in 2014, he left behind a legacy. Affectionately called ‘the father of Brazilian furniture’, Rodrigues was considered a pioneer of the modern architecture and design movement, responsible for helping to shape and draw attention to a Brazilian identity in the field. This month, he is being honoured with a solo exhibition of work at R & Company in New York.
Presenting a curated overview of some of Rodrigues’ most notable furniture, the exhibition also showcases a selection of unique custom pieces from the designer’s extensive career, spanning over 60 years.
Installation view at R & Company in New York
Among many things, Rodrigues was known for sourcing all his material locally. Using indigenous hardwoods such as jacaranda, imbuia and peroba, the designer would pair them with soft woven leathers, creating a sharp contrast to the polished wood.
Emblematic of that practice is Rodrigues’ classic 'Tonico' armchair, created for Meia Pateca in 1963, which features thick jacaranda wood slabs and dowels complemented by leather cushions. The chair graced the cover of Brazil Modern: The Rediscovery of Twentieth-Century Brazilian Furniture and was featured in an exposition at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro. That armchair, along with Rodrigues’ 'Cuiabá' chairs – made in 1988 and which feature his his signature circle-cut out motif inspired by airplane windows – will both be on display.
The exhibition marks the designer’s third solo show with the gallery, and the first since his death. After opening earlier this month, the exhibition will continue until 13 April.
Rodrigues was known for pairing indigenous hardwoods such as jacaranda, imbuia and peroba with soft woven leathers
Rodrigues’ classic ’Tonico’ armchair (right) features thick jacaranda wood slabs and dowels complemented by leather cushions
INFORMATION
’Sérgio Rodrigues’ is on view until 13 April 2017. For more information, visit the R & Company website
ADDRESS
R & Company
82 Franklin Street
New York 10013
-
A landmark show by ‘the godfather of the modern collectible design movement’ opens at Ralph Pucci, New YorkParisian designer Hervé Van der Straeten unveils a large new collection at Ralph Pucci, celebrating 20 years of collaboration with the New York master
-
The Spirit of Paimio brings new life to the modernist landmarkThe second edition of the Spirit of Paimio conference, ‘Reimagining Community’, brings together a group of architects, writers, designers, astrophysicists, and artists to think and talk about what it means to be in community at the sanatorium turned Modernist site
-
Kohler plunges into the world of wellness with an ice bath for your homeKohler has teamed up with Remedy Place to design an ice bath for the home, marking the brand’s first move into the wellness space
-
Campana Brothers look back on 35 years of revolutionary designOn view at modernist Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, ‘Campana Brothers – 35 Revolutions’ is a retrospective of the Brazilian designers’ impactful oeuvre
-
Etel celebrates its contemporary female forcesBrazilian brand Etel puts its female contemporary designers at the forefront for its newest venture, Women and Design, kicking off with a debut collection by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola
-
Retracing the modernist steps of Lina Bo Bardi and Studio d’Arte Palma -
The rustic allure of Brazil modern design gets a new French audience -
Prada moves to a modernist Brazilian beat at its new Miami boutique -
Etel sets its Brazilian roots down in a new organic Milan flagship -
Coastal call: Brazilian designer Jader Almeida brings his furniture to Miami -
Espasso brings Brazilian design to Miami's Shore Club Hotel in a new exhibition
