Architectural elements inspire Modern Shapes Editions' exhibits at Maison&Objet

Two years of the pandemic-afflicted global dormancy has only amplified people’s enthusiasm as the world opens up. The corresponding halt that loomed over the spheres of design slowly retreats as celebrated design fairs take on the streets heralding revival. Twice a year, pioneers in the spheres of lifestyle, home and decor gather at one of the leading trade fairs for decor and design Maison&Objet, Paris. The latest iteration of the biannual design event held at Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre served as a platform for networking and defining future trends. The September edition of Maison&Objet 2022, which held concurrently with Paris Design Week, was slated from September 8 to September 12, 2022. Innovative presentations including furniture design, accessory design, and textiles adorned the fair venue. The Belgian company Modern Shapes Editions made its first appearance at Maison&Objet Paris this year. The brand curated handcrafted editions of one-of-a-kind sculptures by major worldwide artists, resulting in an eye-catching collection of modern sculptural art. Modern Shapes Editions set its journey in motion with a collaboration with internationally acclaimed artists such as ABSID, Alban Lanore, David Umemoto, Denis Castaing, Helen Vergouwen, Levi Hawken, Lucien Petit, and Scott VanderVoort.

Conceived by Modern Shapes Gallery, an art gallery based in Antwerp, Belgium, Modern Shapes Editions was introduced as a supportive space for emerging as well as established artists. The editions display a juxtaposition of design, art and architecture. Every creation embodies refined aesthetics and establishes an intimate dialogue between the three independent yet closely-knit worlds.

The contemporary sculptural artworks – ranging from pieces emulating architectural elements such as arches and stairways to idol-like silhouettes – are available in both open and limited editions, aiming to complement and uplift interior projects through timeless designs. "We believe that our editions will appeal especially to professionals in interior design or architecture, plus art aficionados and design lovers in general," the company shares in an official statement. The artists, with various experience and backgrounds, initially originated from both sides of the Atlantic, some making their first career waves and others established globally, for a rigorously picked and diversified collection of creatives. What ties all the sculptural artists together is a shared passion for handcrafting a range of natural or human-made materials, which organically morph into wood creations for this edition.

Licensed by the original artist and handcrafted by dextrous artisans, Modern Shapes Editions take shape in the company’s art studio in central Java, Indonesia. Since its inception in 1999, the studio has found its place as one of the world’s finest woodcrafting workshops, with a dedicated team that epitomises the craft and lives through the medium of wood. Presently, the studio employs a professional workforce of over 200 artisans—highly skilled carvers, turners, and carpenters. "Owing to the incredible skills and knowhow, proudly passed on from generation to generation, our team succeeds in transferring our chosen artists’ original sculpture into another medium – wood. Together they craft highly collectable objects and sculptures with enduring appeal," the company states.

Modern Shapes Editions continues to work on translating new sculptural pieces into their signature material, wood. The result is a brand new range of refined and collectable wooden editions, handcrafted directly from the latest significant works by all these sculptors. Maison&Objet Paris, a hub for craftsmanship and innovative design solutions, and a magnet for thousands of visitors and exhibitors from across the globe, accentuated the contemporary art that Modern Shapes Editions has to offer.