Mattia Bonetti, an eclectic artist

Born in the Swiss town of Lugano, Mattia Bonetti, a self-described proponent of “simultaneous diversity” moved to Paris after his studies. He worked in textile, dabbled in photography and concentrated on set desig ning, drawing furniture collections, interiors for private clients and public places in France and abroad, in collaboration with Elisabeth Garrouste. In 2002, he reinvented himself as a solo artist. Colours, shapes, materials... this virtuoso technician bursts with seemingly limitless creative energy and fantasy. His former works become pretexts for pushing the boundaries as he vigorously defends his eclecticism. This year, having completed work on New York’s The Mark Hotel’s furniture, he collaborated with architect Philippe Medioni on the Cristal Champs-Elysees hotel, which opens in September, using noble materials (marble, oak, rock crystal) and exclusive furniture to create stark - sometimes startling - contrasts. The experience left him elated: “I seldom have the opportunity to design a place from A to Z, although I am a designer first and a decorator second. I love creating a whole universe from scratch.” In Paris, he also supervised the scenography of the “Art Nouveau, Revival” exhib ition, conceived by the Orsay museum’s curator Philippe Thiébaut. He also collaborated with cabinetmaker Francis Cat-Berro. Next February, he will exhibit some of his work at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York. In Paris, the Galerie italienne has given him carte blanche for two collections.

Photo © Damien Grenon