French designer Pierre Yovanovitch makes his Australian debut with an exhibition at CRITERIA’s new showroom. The showcase features a curated selection of his renowned furniture designs, alongside contemporary artworks by Australian artists.

Pierre Yovanovitch’s first solo exhibition in Australia will land in Melbourne. Starting on March 14th, the CRITERIA gallery in South Yarra will host the acclaimed French designer’s immersive installation. Yovanovitch, known for his avant-garde approach to interior design and architecture, brings a collection of his furniture designs under the banner of Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier.

The exhibition is set to display a range of Yovanovitch’s pieces: the Wave Console crafted from oiled solid oak, and the Callas Table Lamp, a new addition to his catalogue made of solid ash and fabric. Notable highlights include the Roze Dining Table, featuring varnished solid oak with a glazed ceramic insert and lacquered steel legs, and the Mama Bear Chair, made from an oiled solid oak frame.

Yovanovitch intertwines his furniture designs with contemporary artworks curated by Australian artists. Artworks by Jules de Balincourt, Travis McDonald, Miranda Skozcek and Ben Mazey add a distinctly Australian flavour to the exhibition, fostering a dialogue between French design and Australian art.

CRITERIA’s founder and creative director, Rachael Fry, comments on the significance of Yovanovitch’s work: “Pierre Yovanovitch is a rare creative visionary whose avant-garde concepts reflect a deep understanding of colour, composition, space and texture. I believe his kind of genius only comes along every so often, and when it does, the product of that genius is so powerful and exciting that it elicits a profound response from those who see it. We are honoured to be representing his work in Australia and thrilled to pioneer the introduction of his visionary design to our audience.”

The exhibition will reflect Yovanovitch’s design philosophy, which combines longevity and exceptional quality with an emphasis on sustainability. The pieces are crafted with materials that are locally certified and sustainably sourced. Yovanovitch’s designs pay homage to his Provencal roots, with a nod to the region’s natural light and commitment to craftsmanship.

Yovanovitch expresses enthusiasm for this Australian venture: “I can’t think of a better platform than CRITERIA to collaborate with for my debut in Australia. We’ve known for some time that there has been an interest in Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier in the region, so it was just a matter of finding the right partner to debut our works there. Rachael’s keen eye for design and established presence in the industry made a collaboration with CRITERIA a natural launching pad for us.”

The exhibition aims to allow visitors to experience Yovanovitch’s work in a residential context through a series of immersive vignettes. This approach will engage the audience with the furniture, extending beyond mere aesthetic appreciation.

Open to the public from 14th March through to 2nd May, the CRITERIA gallery’s exhibition of Pierre Yovanovitch’s work offers an opportunity to explore the intersection of French design and Australian artistry. The gallery welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays by appointment.

CRITERIA
criteriacollection.com.au

Pierre Yovanovitch
pierreyovanovitch.com