Sylvain Rieu-Piquet’s upcoming exhibition ‘Chimaera’ at Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery launches on 22 May 2025, featuring 40 sculptural pieces of jewellery and ceramics. The exhibition challenges conventional ideas about beauty and art, emphasising themes of fragility and vitality. Rieu-Piquet’s work is characterised by experimentalism, drawing from various aesthetics and materials, while maintaining a connection to family life and personal experience.
Sylvain Rieu-Piquet, a talented designer, is set to showcase his latest work in a forthcoming exhibition titled “Chimaera” at Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery in London. The exhibition, starting on 22 May 2025, features 40 sculptural pieces that combine jewellery and ceramics. Rieu-Piquet describes his creations as not just adornments but protective forms that fuse art with a sense of magic, embodying the idea that wearing them might transform the wearer in some way.
The name “Chimaera” refers to a mythical creature from Greek mythology, embodying elements that are diverse and fantastical. Rieu-Piquet reflects on how these pieces resonate with the notion of bold, unconventional ideas. His own artistic journey began at ENS Paris-Saclay, where he developed a distinct way of thinking creatively and differently. This philosophy is deeply rooted in his jewellery practice, which thrives on experimentation.
His approach is interdisciplinary, blending influences from various visual art forms. Rieu-Piquet explains, “I draw a lot… I was not concerned with history… just the aesthetics.” Early accolades marked his career, especially after he redesigned Bic pens and exhibited large-scale pieces in New York. Yet, nowadays, he’s more renowned for his sculptural jewellery, a medium where he is free to experiment while staying true to solid design principles.
Rieu-Piquet notes the closeness of ceramics and jewellery in his work, stating, “I began the jewellery after the ceramics, but… the materials are soft and precise.” He values the smaller scale of jewellery as it demands clarity in style and decision-making. His collection often explores themes like fragility and vitality, aiming to encapsulate the magic and tragedy of existence within his work, ultimately reflecting the balance of strength and weakness.
The pieces themselves are primarily crafted from brass and bronze, adorned with silver and gold, and set with precious stones like sapphires and garnets. Rieu-Piquet encourages interpretation, suggesting his rings might be seen as both flower-like or resembling reptilian skins. He embraces a vintage quality in his work, as the processes involved in crafting give them a sense of lived experience.
Despite the growing popularity of his jewellery, Rieu-Piquet remains grounded. He deliberately avoids creating works driven by ego; he wants them to be comfortable and meaningful. Working from home has allowed him more time with his three children, and he speaks candidly about the importance of family in his life. He finds artistic success but knows the world continues beyond his creations: “Everything could be destroyed… and it is not a problem.”
In his upcoming exhibition “Chimaera”, Rieu-Piquet distils the essence of beauty and existence, challenging perceptions through his art. This exhibition will run from 22 May to 12 July 2025, with more details available on the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery website.
Sylvain Rieu-Piquet’s upcoming exhibition, “Chimaera”, set to open on 22 May 2025, showcases 40 pieces blending jewellery and ceramics. The collection combines a unique aesthetic with themes of fragility and vitality, offering a thoughtful exploration of beauty. His artistic approach, underscored by a connection to family life, reveals a remarkable balance between creativity and personal experience. The show promises to be both imaginative and deeply reflective.
Original Source: www.wallpaper.com