Martin SZEKELY

Martin Szekely studied at Ecole Estienne and Ecole Boulle, and metal working under a Chinese artisan. He began as a copper-plate engraver. In 1977-78, Martin Szekely designed furniture, including the Ar stool. Some of his early projects were sponsored by the VIA. His first success was the 25-piece collection of furniture for the Sauvagnat company, shown at the 1979 Salon du Meuble in Paris. His 1980 Coin furniture collection in wood and aluminium for Skina was shown at the 1981 Salon du Meuble in Paris and Salon del Mobile in Milan. Widely published, some of his stark and unadorned furniture models were produced in black carbon-steel by Galerie Néotù, Paris, including his 1980 Cornette chair and 1983 Pi range. Martin Szekely studied in Italy in 1984 and met Ettore Sottsass, Paolo Deganello, and Michele De Lucchi. He designed the 1986 Carbone chair produced by Tribu. Szekely produced case goods in MDF and upholstered seating, including the 1987 Haut Ouvert, 1987 Presse Papiers, and 1987 Stoleru armchair and Sofa. Néotù produced his 1987 chaise Toro. The same year Martin Szekely restored the Musée de Picardie in Amiens and designed the entrance hall of the house of George Sand in Nohant. In 1989, Szekely began to move away from the black metal forms for which he had earlier gained recognition. His small editions represented a successful collaboration between designer and producer, in this case Pierre Staudemeyer of Galerie Néotù in Paris.