This major retrospective pays tribute to the acclaimed French designer who sadly passed away last year. Known as La Reine du damier (The Queen of the checkerboard), she left an extensive body of work over four decades, an astonishing heritage to discover in two separate venues: LANDMARK, the epitome of top-tier luxury shopping in Central and PMQ, during May and June 2014. While the LANDMARK features unique installations greeting which express her iconic style of restraint and fantasy, her philosophy and rigorous perfection, PMQ presents the history of Putman’s Studio that captures the endless creativity of this Grande Dame of French design.

Curious and energetic, innovative and creative, and a career that has embraced everything from interior architecture to design, Ms. Putman left her inimitable mark on each and every one of her creations. The exhibition held in the newly revitalized PMQ offers a portrayal of the French designer most renowned for rescuing lost modernist furniture and giving it a new lease of life. It is one of the first retrospective of such a scale dedicated to a design studio in Hong Kong.

Surrounded by the most acclaimed avant-garde figures of the 20th century, from Andy Warhol to Yves Saint Laurent, Ms. Putman inspired several artists with her portrait paintings and photographs. Her aim was to democratise design; she created luxurious spaces as well as popular and non-expensive objects with the wish of making art accessible to all, offering “beautiful objects at the price of ugly.” For the first time in the history of design, a studio is transmitted from a mother to a daughter. The exhibition will present this unique artistic legacy by displaying 60 years of creation. More than 200 pieces of art and objects will allow a real immersion in the universe of Studio Putman. The scenography will also present for the first time in Hong Kong the last achievements by Olivia Putman illustrating the particularity of this artistic transmission between two women. Dedicated to design and innovation, PMQs new art space The Cube will feature the history of Studio Putman through artworks, photographs, films and archives, over a two week period. Satisfying a longstanding wish of Andrée Putman, her daughter Olivia Putman became the art director of the Studio Putman in 2007.

More details: http://www.frenchmay.com

Guided Tour – PMQ

• Every Saturday and Sunday during the exhibition period: Four 30-minute sessions per day at 2pm, 2:45pm, 3:45pm and 4:30pm. Educational and charitable institutions are welcomed to request particular Group Visits.
• Qube, 2/F, PMQ
• Language: Cantonese (English by request)
• No. of participants: 25
• Target participants: All public
• Fee: Free
• Registration: Please fill in the simple Online Registration Form here. A confirmation email will be sent to you accordingly.
• Registration Deadline: The day prior to the registered Guided Tour.

A dedicated docent will guide you through the exhibition, tell you the stories behind the exhibit highlights.