What caught my eye at PAD 2025
From April 2 to 6, 2025, the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris hosted the PAD Paris fair, a prestigious event showcasing the finest in art and design. Here are the galeries we loved the most.
Maison Intègre’s Bronze Rhythms of West African Craft
Maison Intègre brought the spirit of Burkina Faso to PAD Paris with a striking display rooted in the ancestral art of bronze casting. Working closely with local artisans from a Ouagadougou-based foundry, the gallery presented a collection that celebrated both heritage and modernity. The pieces, sculptural yet utilitarian, radiated a quiet strength — their hand-patinated surfaces capturing the warmth of human touch. Juxtaposed against a minimal backdrop, each object stood as a totem of cultural continuity, turning traditional savoir-faire into contemporary relics. The result was a space that honored origin while forging a bold, tactile design language all its own.
Galerie Chastel Maréchal’s Timeless Dialogue Between Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Galerie Chastel Maréchal presented a scene steeped in historic elegance, where the poetic sensibility of mid-20th-century design took center stage. Anchoring the vignette was Le Cerf Couché by Janine Janet, a 1966 sculptural piece that radiates both mythic calm and organic fluidity. It was gracefully paired with a rare cabinet by André Arbus, circa 1940, elevated by bronze elements sculpted by Vadim Androusov — a collaboration that speaks to the golden era of French decorative arts. Together, these masterworks formed a dialogue between form and function, artistry and craftsmanship, reminding viewers of design’s enduring power to embody narrative and nobility.
Galerie JAG’s Harmonious Dialogue of Texture and Form
Galerie JAG presented a quietly poetic tableau where natural materials and sculptural forms created a refined, earthy sanctuary. Anchored by a woven credenza and flanked by organic stone-textured lamps, the space evoked both coastal serenity and timeless craftsmanship. A trio of botanical panels by Shinsuke Kawahara above served as ethereal windows into nature’s delicacy, while the central stone sculpture and raw, iron-framed coffee table grounded the room in primal elegance. Every object — from the curved, mid-century chairs to the coral-like centerpiece — contributed to a setting that felt both collected and deeply soulful.
Objects With Narratives'
'Room of Desire'
Exploring themes of intimacy and sensuality, Objects With Narratives presented the "Room of Desire." This installation showcased works by artists like Laurids Gallée, Lukas Cober, and Elissa Lacoste, among others. Dominated by passionate red hues, the space featured materials such as cast aluminum, resin, bronze, onyx, and wool, inviting tactile and contemplative engagement.
Galerie Gastou's
Egyptian-Inspired Space
Galerie Gastou highlighted the work of Egyptian designer Omar Chakil, whose pieces draw from animism and the rich heritage of his homeland. Designer Victor Gastou and architect Matthieu Poirier-Lauvin created a minimalist space reminiscent of ancient Egyptian architecture, establishing a dialogue between the sacred and the contemporary.