Marjorie Salvaterra & Ralph Pucci

Miami, December 2024

RALPH PUCCI has presented its first in-house collection in more than 10 years, Primal Mysteries, during Art Basel Miami Beach. The 10,000 sq ft RALPH PUCCI gallery in Wynwood first opened in December 2023 and now houses new editions of the award-winning furniture and lighting collection, as well as a colorful new photographic exhibition by Marjorie Salvaterra, Sheila in Technicolor, and new works by Patrick Naggar.

PRIMAL MYSTERIES 

The Primal Mysteries collection pays homage to many of RALPH PUCCI’s longstanding heroes from the worlds of sculpture and painting: Giacometti, Brancusi, Miro, Paul Klee, Modigliani, Kirchner, Surrealism, and also looks further back to their sources of inspiration, and the artistic expressions that have been intrinsic to myriad cultures since the dawn of humanity.

The collection focuses primarily on lighting and tables and reveals the full talent and capabilities of the RALPH PUCCI (sculpture studio), from handwork in clay and plaster to casting and hand-finishing. New pieces presented at the exhibition include the Giant Mask and Primal Chandelier.

SHEILA IN TECHNICOLOR 

Californian photographer Marjorie Salvaterra is often known for her ability to investigate the many, and often contradictory, roles that are demanded of women in modern life. Predominantly working in black and white, Salvaterra brings an unexpected new dimension to her work with Sheila in Technicolor, a series of surrealist female scenes drenched in bright, commanding color.

Sheila in Technicolor is an homage to Salvaterra’s mom and an extension on her Sheila series, which deals with her mother and grandmother’s generations and the the idea that women were taught to keep everything inside. Salvaterra says, “Sheila in Technicolor is my mother in my ear saying, with each black and white series, “Don’t you want to add a little color?” A version of “Don’t you want a little lipstick?” “Is that what you’re wearing?” It’s the acceptance of how my mother and grandmother were raised and instead of fighting it, accepting the colorful life I have had and believing it came from caring and wanting everything to be ok for us.”