CJ Hendry's Latest Exhibition Is a Giant Bead Pit
‘Pastel’ invites visitors to dig through thousands of colorful beads and make their own jewelry
What if your next trip to the gallery involved diving into a giant pit of pastel-colored beads? CJ Hendry is making it happen. The Australian artist is teaming up with Salon 94 Design for Pastel, a new exhibition in New York. Known for her large-scale installations and instantly recognizable drawings, Hendry is bringing her playful visual universe to life through an immersive, hands-on experience.
At the center of the show is a huge pit overflowing with pastel beads, decorated with some of Hendry’s signature characters and motifs, including Juju, Balloon Dog, flowers and smiley faces. But this isn’t a strictly look-don’t-touch situation. Visitors are invited to dig through the beads and create their own collection, which can then be turned into a bracelet, necklace or charm.
Alongside the installation, the exhibition will feature drawings and editions of Hendry’s most recognizable imagery, as well as a selection of her signature merch, from caps and T-shirts to jewelry trunks, leather trays and acrylic keyrings.
The exhibition also marks a new chapter for Hendry, whose audience-first practice has largely existed outside traditional gallery spaces. With Pastel, the artist is bringing that community-driven approach into the gallery world, creating a space that feels less like a museum and more like somewhere you actually want to hang out.
The exhibition runs from August 6 to 16; head to the gallery’s website for more.
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