chris wolston's terracotta chairs blossom among gardens at hotel bel-air

colombian craft arrives in los angeles

Discovered within the lush gardens of Hotel Bel-Air is a collection of sculptural ceramic and terracotta works by internationally acclaimed artist Chris Wolston. The partnership between the Los Angeles hotel’s Dorchester Collection and The Future Perfect design gallery brings the artist’s organic vision to life in this site-specific outdoor exhibition. Wolston’s carefully handcrafted furniture pieces blur the lines between furniture, installation, and sculpture to hybridize tradition with contemporary surrealism.

Gingersita Chair and Primavera Chair | images courtesy Hotel Bel-Air

chris wolston blends the old and new

Chris Wolston, born in the US but now based in Medellín, celebrates this exhibition as his fifth solo show at Hotel Bel-Air. The event shows his dedication to cultural exploration. Drawing inspiration from the city of Medellín, his new series of terracotta planter chairs, previously unseen in Los Angeles, is a celebration of Colombian craftsmanship and the significance of flowers in global culture. Wolston’s work results from a deep exploration of techniques rooted in Colombian culture. In this show, the artist nods to the practice of planting and cutting flowers as expressions of joy, remembrance, and romance, together with gestural masonry techniques employed by Colombian bricklayers.

Maple Leaf Chair

explore the gardens of hotel bel-air

Within the exhibition visitors are invited to discover Chris Wolston’s artworks scattered throughout the gardens of Hotel Bel-Air. The show includes a new collection of terracotta chairs, along with two pieces from his renowned Nalgona series. These newly unveiled pieces are emblematic of his continued fascination with craft traditions, materiality, and symbolism. The exhibition opened its doors on October 25th, 2023, inviting both hotel guests and visiting art enthusiasts to take a self-guided walking tour through the Hotel Bel-Air’s gardens.

Boyaca Chair
Zipolite Chair
Caribe Chair

Primavera Chair | image © David Sierra

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Primavera Chair

Guatavita Chair

Tozeur Chair

Germancho Chair

Eathly Delight Vessel 11 and 05

Tyra Supermodel Chair | image © David Sierra

project info:

artist: Chris Wolston | @chriswolston

gallery: The Future Perfect | @thefutureperfect

location: Hotel Bel-Air | @hotelbelair, Los Angeles

on view: October 25th, 2023 — February 15th, 2024