Sophie Negropontes
Art and Decoration
This year she has chosen to exhibit new works by her designers in her gallery. Creations allying the decorative and plastic arts that are keenly anticipated by collectors. By Éric Jansen
Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, gallery owner Sophie Negropontes shall exceptionally and regrettably not be present at the PAD (Paris Art and Design fair) in 2020. Exceptionally as she has participated for many years, regrettably because she is one of the star attractions. Since her first exhibition her notoriety has grown, and particularly in London and the United States where she is also a regular at the New York Show. “80% of my clients are foreigners.” Sophie’s bespoke creations, often unique or in limited series, remain flexible depending on demand, in the majority from decorators. Those who rapidly succumbed include Peter Marino, Anthony Ingrao, Cullman & Kravis and Nicole Hollis. In France, Jacques Garcia, Pinto and Laura Gonzalez also called upon her designers to work on, amongst other projects, a 5000 sqm chalet in SaintMoritz and a private Boeing 747... Exceptional projects for an exceptional savoir-faire. Another example, Perrin & Perrin’s glass wall with subtle champagne shades created for the Cartier boutique in Dubaï. An essential for Sophie Negropontes: to be at the heart of the creative process.
La galerie de Sophie Negropontes. Céramiques de Benjamin Poulanges.
When she opened her first 50 sqm gallery in little rue de Verneuil in Paris in 2012, she was practically unknown. Not surprisingly, as up till then her career path had been in marketing. But the daughter of Romanian photographer Dan Er Grigorescu was born with an eye for art and a need to live surrounded by it. “I know, I’m not on the traditional rails. I don't offer design like other galleries.” Just eight years later, she moved to be close to the future Pinault foundation and now exhibits her protégés’ creations in a 200 sqm space.
Tapisserie d’après un carton de Roger Mühl, manufacture Pinton. Guéridons en céramique d'Hervé Langlais.
To compensate for her absence from the PAD, she has organised an exhibition where we may admire the Perrin & Perrin duo’s creations, among others an impressive amber glass sculpture called Automne, as well as lighting by Éric de Dormael, Benjamin Poulanges ceramics, and not forgetting coffee tables, consoles, marble vases and mirrors by Hervé Langlais, the first designer with whom she embarked on her adventure. There are also two newcomers completely in synch with Sophie’s trademark style, Gianluca Pacchioni and Erwan Boulloud. Tapestries from the Pinton manufacture based on designs by Roger Mühl hang on the walls. But aren’t these from the 1960s? “Yes, they are the only vintage works in the gallery,” Sophie Negropontes confesses with a laugh “but we have projects with Pinton for resolutely contemporary pieces.” Phew!