In the Mix

Museum Approved!

Aug 18, 2023

22 cutting-edge contemporary designs recently acquired by major institutions

As Summer 2023 draws to a close and we look forward to the jam-packed cultural season that kicks off next month, let’s take a moment to applaud our amazing community’s accomplishments so far this year.

Our exhibiting galleries have done an amazing job at placing an impressive array of contemporary designs in the collections of major museums around the country and beyond. There’s nothing like the institutional seal of approval to confirm the value of the work you’re doing.

Scroll on to enjoy a sampling of recently acquired designs, and join us in extending a wholehearted congratulations to Salon 94 Design, Wexler Gallery, Southern Guild, Ornamentum, Friedman Benda, R & Company—as well as the stellar talents that these galleries represent!

Represented by Salon 94 Design: Savage Chair by Jay Sae Jung Oh, 2021, composed of found plastic objects, leather cord, and plywood. Acquired by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Photos courtesy of Salon 94 Design and the artist

Represented by Wexler Gallery: Nyala Chair and Mukecha Stool by Jomo Tariku. The Nyala's curves were inspired by the horns and hind legs of the Nyala antelope, native to the Bale region of Ethiopia. The Mukecha draws its shape from traditional African mortars and pestles, and the colorful banding nods to the neck rings that adorn bronze busts from The Kingdom of Benin. Both acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art. Photos © Julia Lehman; courtesy of Wexler Gallery and the artist

Represented by Southern Guild: Lafia by Cheick Diallo, 2018, a one-of-a-kind chair made of leather and timber. Acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photos © Hayden Phipps and Southern Guild

Represented by Southern Guild: M’bé-yan II (I’m Here) by Cheick Diallo, 2018, a one-of-a-kind piece made of recycled steel. Acquired by the Denver Art Museum. Photos © Hayden Phipps and Southern Guild

Represented by Ornamentum: Pink Parure by Samuel Gassman, 2021, a jewelry set including a tiara, necklace, two bracelets, and a pair of earrings presented in a box handmade in antique textiles, buttons, and more. Acquired by the Museum of Arts & Design. Photos courtesy of Ornamentum and the artist

Represented by Ornamentum: Platter Shatter II by Jaydan Moore, composed of found silver-plated tableware, shown at Design Miami/ 2022. Acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art. Photo © Ornamentum

Represented by Ornamentum: Platter Scatter by Jaydan Moore, shown at Design Miami/ 2019. The National Gallery of Victoria commissioned Moore to create a 25-foot version, which will be unveiled at the museum's Triennial exhibition later this year. Photo © Ornamentum

Represented by Ornamentum: DIE! NO! BOMB! Parure by Aaron Decker, 2023. The tail is a bracelet, the sneakers are earrings, the bone is a brooch, and the small egg pendant is a ring. Acquired by the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Photo courtesy of Ornamentum and the artist

Represented by Ornamentum: Giraffe by Eunmi Chun for Ornamentum, 2011, a brooch composed of human hair, gold leaf, cow gut, seeds, and silver. Acquired by the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Photo courtesy of Ornamentum and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Pink Agave Cabinet by Fernado Laposse, 2021, crafted in birch plywood, agave fibers, steel mesh, kiln dried Canadian Maple, and cochineal dye. Acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art. Photos © Dallas Museum of Art

Represented by Friedman Benda: Resting Place by Fernando Laposse, 2023, composed upholstered plywood, avocado dyed cotton, and plated upholstery tacks. Acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria, which will also exhibit Laposse's Conflict Avocados project in its Triennial later this year. Photo courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Seduction Pair 06 by Najla El Zein, 2018, made of Iranian red travertine. Acquired by the St Louis Art Museum. Photo © Damien Arlettaz; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: It Must Have Been the Clams by Misha Kahn, 2021, part of Kahn's NFT furniture project, Furniture Unhinged. Acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo © Sean Davidson; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Switch by Ini Archibong, 2011, made of painted wood and chromed metal. Acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo © Julian Calero; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Maker Chair Puzzle Kids by Joris Laarman, 2014, composed of 3D printed ABS. Acquired by the Centre Pompidou. Photo courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Chair Pink by KAWS x Estudio Campana, 2018, composed of plush toys, stainless steel, and cumaru wood. Acquired by the Brooklyn Museum. Photo © Daniel Kukla; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artists

Represented by Friedman Benda: Trauma Chair by Samuel Ross, 2020, composed of burnished steel and molasses lacquer. Acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Photo © Daniel Kukla; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist

Represented by Friedman Benda: Untitled by Thaddeus Wolfe, 2022, crafted in glass and bronze. Acquired by the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photo © Timothy Doyon; courtesy of Friedman Benda and the artist