Salon 94 has played a significant role in showcasing the work of British designer Max Lamb, known for his material-driven and process-led approach to furniture and object design. The gallery, with its prominent spaces, has provided a platform for Lamb to present his experimental pieces to an international audience.
Exhibitions and Signature Works
Max Lamb's collaborations with Salon 94 have often highlighted his direct engagement with materials and innovative fabrication techniques. Exhibitions have featured a diverse range of his output, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to exploring the inherent qualities of different substances.
- Material Focus: Lamb's work frequently emphasizes raw materials. Salon 94 has exhibited pieces crafted from his signature materials such as pewter (often cast in sand directly on beaches), bronze, wood (including his "Scrapwood" series), volcanic rock, and expanded polystyrene coated in high-gloss lacquer or other finishes (like his "Poly" furniture series).
- Process as Product: The methods of making are integral to the final form in Lamb's designs. Salon 94's presentations allow the narrative of creation—be it carving, casting, cutting, or constructing—to be understood as part of the work's value.
- Notable Series: Collections such as the "Quarry" series, where he works with stone directly from the quarry, or his various cast metal stools and tables, have been focal points in his showings with the gallery.
Gallery's Impact
Salon 94, through its design arm Salon 94 Design, has been instrumental in contextualizing Max Lamb's pieces within the broader contemporary design landscape. The gallery champions designers who push boundaries, and Lamb’s honest and often unconventional approach to design aligns well with this ethos.
Key aspects of their collaboration include:
- Solo Presentations: Salon 94 has hosted solo exhibitions dedicated to Max Lamb, allowing for in-depth exploration of his evolving practice and new bodies of work.
- Group Shows and Fairs: Lamb's pieces are also frequently included in the gallery's curated group exhibitions and presentations at international design fairs, further solidifying his reputation.
- Fostering Collectorship: By representing Lamb, Salon 94 facilitates the acquisition of his works by private collectors and public institutions, ensuring the longevity and appreciation of his contributions to design.
In essence, the relationship between Max Lamb and Salon 94 underscores a shared commitment to innovative design that is both intellectually rigorous and materially expressive. The gallery provides a critical space for Lamb to experiment and present works that challenge conventional notions of furniture and object making.
