Botanica: Inspired by Nature at Wexler Gallery

Wexler Gallery is pleased to present Botanica: Inspired by Nature, an exhibition anchored by an installation of Botanica chandeliers, an NYCxDESIGN Award Honoree, by Andreea Avram Rusu. Artists shown include Edward McHugh, Trish DeMasi, Gregory Nangle, Gulla Jónsdóttir, Andy Paiko, Patrick Weder, Feyza Kemahlioglu, Stephen Shaheen and Reynold Rodriguez. The exhibition is on view currently in New York and runs through August 31, 2022.

The idea for her organic yet otherworldly Botanica chandeliers originated nearly a decade ago, when designer Andreea Avram Rusu began exploring how to manifest her fascination with plant life in glass form. The shape of the leaves came into focus first, but it wasn’t until a stay in Portugal in early 2021, where she visited the country’s famed botanical gardens, that the concept fully crystallized. Her vision was banana flowers, weighty and sculptural, brought to life with surreal flair. The current installation includes a variety of Botanica configurations and colorways.

Gregory Nangle combines geometric forms with naturalistic elements in his Meticulous Dilapidation Lounge and Aluminum Shack Table. Rectilinear shapes are cast from wood planks to create unexpected depth and texture. Duality is also at play in the Todo el Bien, Todo el Mal Chair and The Table That Dreamed (Of Being Light) as well as other work by Reynold Rodriguez, and not only in the names – substantial gypsum plaster pieces achieve delicacy and grace through his skillful design and shaping.

Nuvola Stools by Stephen Shaheen evoke the cloud formations the name implies, masterfully hand-carved in solid stone with asymmetric cast metal legs in varying heights. Feyza Kemahlioglu incorporates carved meerschaum, a soft clay-like material found in her native Turkey, with blown glass in her stunning Pillars of Meerschaum lighting collection. Trish DeMasi’s hand-built stylized biomorphic ceramic designs include her Lamella collection inspired by fungi ribs.

The Powells Garden diptych by Edward McHugh captures a reflection in a pond – the watery surface adding texture to the photographic composition. With his Seed Cloud chandelier, Andy Paiko blends historical Italian techniques with experimental glass blowing methods to create a piece inspired by nature yet traditional in form. Gulla Jónsdóttir cleverly brings together elemental materials such as bronze and wood in her versatile Puzzle Table. The Kavrn collection of anthropomorphic case goods, stools and tables by Patrick Weder combine his training as an artist with his skill as a craftsman. Gregory Nangle’s Fading Mirrors artfully reflect the installation.

Visit Wexler Gallery on the 4th Floor of The New York Design Center in Suite 431.