Mattia Bonetti is a superb contemporary designer and artist that was born in 1952 in Lugano, Switzerland, and nowadays works in Paris, the city of lights. His talent is outstanding and, thanks to his unique style, Mattia is capable of creating the most peculiar and surreal art pieces.
Mattia Bonetti ©Financial Times
Breaking the walls that separate the art and design fields, freeing himself from the chains of traditional mindsets, his work raised to international appreciation.
“Sofa Cloud” (2008). Sculptural wood frame, upholstered in mohair velvet. ©David Gill Gallery
At first, Mattia studied textile design at the Centro Scolastico per l’Industria Artistica. When he moved to Paris in 1972, his desire was to work in the field of textile design. However, he ended up developing a career as a stylist and photographer. He worked mainly with black and white film, photographing miniature interiors that handcrafted by him. Eventually, his love for furniture grew.
“Senzafine Sofa” (2014). © Mattia Bonetti
To create his collectible designs, Bonetti starts by a free-hand sketch that is then produced in materials like patinated bronze, gilding, acrylic, wood, rock crystal, marble, glass and gemstones.
Pair of Chandeliers (2016). Hand cut and polished unique crystals, gilded with a forge. ©David Gill Gallery
It was in the 1970s that he met the renowned designer Elizabeth Garouste, their collaboration began with the interior decoration of the famous Parisian nightclub Le Palace and the restaurant Le Privilege.
“Armchair Ball” (2012). ©David Gill Gallery
The inspiration for that project came from neo-Baroque and small prehistoric and primitive details. Mattia’s terracotta masks were then called “Barbarian design”. That was the start of Mattia’s groundbreaking path that lead to the creation of the most sophisticated contemporary interior and furniture design.
“Coffee Table Cirrus” (2017). Made of bronze and acrylic. ©David Gill Gallery
In the year of 1987, Garouste and Bonetti started to work with Christian Lacroix to bring a new life to French 18th Century chairs. The legs of consoles were also transformed into branches and stools were metamorphosed into tree stumps. Nature is, in fact, one of the main sources of inspiration to Mattia Bonetti’s creative spirit.
“Side Table Spring Blossom” (2014). Made with bronze, patinated and nickel plated. ©David Gill Gallery
After the re-design of Picasso’s Chateau de Boisgeloup in Paris, Mattia Bonetti was invited by Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis to re-design the private apartments of the Palace of St Emmeram in Germany.
“Side Table Taurus” (2014). Made of patinated and gilded bronze. ©David Gill Gallery
The collaboration with David Gill started in 1988. His gallery had opened recently in London. This relationship lasted until today, for over thirty years, thanks to the creative compatibility between them. Both want to innovate using luxurious materials and shapes.
“Dining Table Atlantis” (2014). Made of bronze and marble. ©David Gill Gallery
David Gill Gallery started to showcase the new work by Bonetti (tables, upholstery, lighting and accessories) in 2014. The exhibitions included the now celebrated Grotto, Atlantis and Bubblegum concepts and materials as patinated bronze, marble, gilded rock crystal and glass.
“Coffee Table Grotto” (2014). Made with bronze and acrylic. ©David Gill Gallery
“Table Bubblegum” (2014). Created with black or brown patinated bronze and glass. ©David Gill Gallery
In June of 2015 David Gill Gallery even organized the launch of a Two Volume book about Bonetti’s career.
Mattia Bonetti is loyal to the ateliers and master artisans he collaborates with since the beginning, but his work is not conventional at all. He always pursues high quality materials and the last technological advances, including 3D printing, modern acrylics and robotics.
“Buffet Strata” (2004). Made of stainless steel. ©David Gill Gallery
Every single one of Mattia’s creations has its own personality that is born uniquely from its maker. There are no boundaries, trends, styles, or collections allowed to control his creative freedom. He is the embodiment of contemporary avant-guard design.
“Mattia Bonetti’s artistic creativity is limitless. He has the skill and the imagination to create a range of artistic worlds; from the most meticulous and exact, to the most bizarre and outlandish, his works are always so diverse and yet always retain an element of his own distinctive style.” Jacques Grange, Interior designer
“Sofa Cut Out” (2004). Made of leather, upholstery and wood. ©David Gill Gallery
His work is showcased at several public collections, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
We can’t wait to see how far Mattia Bonetti can take his extraordinary career, talent and imagination.
“Meander Armchair” (2015). Created with bronze and gold leaf with upholstery. ©Design Miami/
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