Anthony Meier, in collaboration with Mexico City-based collectible design gallery AGO Projects, is pleased to present the first U.S. solo exhibition of Brazilian artist and designer Rafael Triboli. Coinciding with FOG Design+Art, this showcase of functional works and one-of-a-kind domestic objects, alongside a curated selection of artworks by Josef Albers (1888-1976), JB Blunk (1926–2002), Donald Judd (1928-1994) and Agnes Martin (1912-2004) will be on view from 21 January to 14 February 2025.
A self-taught artist based in São Paulo, Brazil, Triboli creates works that are both poetic and utilitarian, combining an innate material sensibility with a thoughtful exploration of industrial design and the traditions of woodworking. Rooted in an authenticity of material and craftsmanship, Triboli’s soulful sculptural objects—ranging from shaped chairs and hand-forged lamps to patterned folding screens, boxes, cabinets, and trays—are exactingly crafted from rich Brazilian mahogany and then adorned with intricate geometric carvings, painted motifs, serendipitous lacquer applications, and expressive inlays of cast bronze.
When contextualized, in the exhibition, alongside Josef Albers’ exploration of color, a cast bronze sculpture by JB Blunk, and Donald Judd’s bi-color woodcut prints, Triboli’s modernist-inspired and deeply personal practice comes into focus. His hand-carved and textured wooden boxes, cabinets, and functional objects resonate with Blunk’s curvilinear forms, reflecting a shared reverence for the natural world and the transformative qualities of its raw materials. Simultaneously, a dining table draws strength from its purity of form, evoking Judd’s geometric repetitions and legacy of functional design. Incorporating an element of luminosity, iridescent lighting fixtures, crafted in fluid organic compositions reminiscent of geological artifacts, transform the surrounding space.
Infused with an artistry that enhances and transcends its form, each work reflects Triboli’s belief in the transformative power of art and design to foster connection and elevate experiences. By transmuting the raw, tactile allure of natural materials through the application of uninhibited, instinctive gestures, he redefines their essence. Each object that results emanates a quiet spirituality, as its visible markings and playful intricacies serve as a tangible record of the dialogue between maker and material.