‘Tra L'Occhio e L'Ombra’: Sam Orlando Miller gets illusory at Gallery Fumi
Gallery Fumi celebrates British designer Sam Orlando Miller with an exhibition of new works at its Hoxton Square space. Titled ‘Tra L'Occhio e L'Ombra’ (an Italian title meaning 'between the eye and the shadow'), this is the first solo show for the sculptor, better known for his graphic mirrors.
The exhibition presents two new collections, Sguardo Cubetti and Nostalgia Futuro, each exploring Miller’s visual language and expanding his aesthetic research. The designer once again worked with mirrored surfaces and geometric shapes to create the two series of objects, offering a new layer to his work.
The Sguardo Cubetti series includes six pieces shaped as trompe l’oeil grids. The large three-dimensional sculptures combine different mirror colours (obsidian grey, amber, midnight blue) with painted panels. ‘A box with a door,’ Miller calls each piece; the series is based on simple geometric illusions, made precious by the brilliant colour treatments.
Notalgia Futuro, meanwhile, comprises four wall-hanging pieces that merge mirrored surfaces with studio interior scenes painted onto patinated panels. Yet another illusion, the pieces are non-mirrors that ‘transform the hard reality into a world of softness and ambiguity’, says the designer.
Ombra e Riflesso completes the show’s rich composition; it’s a small sculpture featuring two owl figurines, offering a novel organic approach to his work. Made of marble quartz, green mirror and oak, the pair is expressive and puzzling, inspired by Miller’s close encounter with an owl.
‘Opening a box always offers the chance of the unexpected,’ says Miller. ‘A small thrill of anticipation irrespective of what the box might or might not contain. This work is about that moment; between the visible and the invisible, inside and outside, reality and illusion.’
INFORMATION
’Tra L’Occhio e L’Ombra’ is on view until 30 June. For more information, visit Gallery Fumi’s website
Photography courtesy of Helen Miller for Gallery FUMI
ADDRESS
Gallery Fumi
16 Hoxton Square
London, N1 6NT
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
The Park: step inside Jeremy King's mid-century diner
One of several 2024 openings from restauranteur, Jeremy King, food critic Ben McCormack books in at The Park
By Ben McCormack Published
-
Six brilliant bars for your 2025 celebrations, hot off the Wallpaper* travel desk
Wallpaper’s most-read bar reviews of the year can't be wrong: here’s inspiration for your festive and new year plans, from a swanky Las Vegas lounge to a minimalist London drinking den
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Misfires and Monstrosities: three vehicular design disasters that show taste is in retreat
From a multi-million dollar piece merchandise to a wretched Rolls-Royce, these are the low points of the year in transportation design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Inside the distorted world of artist George Rouy
Frequently drawing comparisons with Francis Bacon, painter George Rouy is gaining peer points for his use of classic techniques to distort the human form
By Hannah Silver Published
-
‘I'm endlessly fascinated by the nude’: Somaya Critchlow’s intimate and confident drawings are on show in London
‘Triple Threat’ at Maximillian William gallery in London is British artist Somaya Critchlow’s first show dedicated solely to drawing
By Zoe Whitfield Published
-
Surrealism as feminist resistance: artists against fascism in Leeds
‘The Traumatic Surreal’ at the Henry Moore Institute, unpacks the generational trauma left by Nazism for postwar women
By Katie Tobin Published
-
Looking forward to Tate Modern’s 25th anniversary party
From 9-12 May 2025, Tate Modern, one of London’s most adored art museums, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a lively weekend of festivities
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this week
A week in the world of Wallpaper*. Here's how our editors have been entertaining themselves in the run up to Christmas
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Love, melancholy and domesticity: Anna Calleja is a painter to watch
Anna Calleja explores everyday themes in her exhibition, ‘One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night’, at Sim Smith, London
By Emily Steer Published
-
Ndayé Kouagou speaks the language of the chaotic social media influencer in London
Ndayé Kouagou celebrates meandering incoherence with an exhibition, ‘A Message for Everybody’, at Gathering in London
By Phin Jennings Published
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this week
A snowy Swiss Alpine sleepover, a design book fest in Milan, and a night with Steve Coogan in London – our editors' out-of-hours adventures this week
By Bill Prince Published