SpeakerSpanish artist-designer Jaime Hayón was born in Madrid in 1974. As a teenager, he submerged himself in skateboard culture and graffiti art, which has formed the foundation of the detailed, bold-yet-whimsical imagery so imminent in his work today.
After studying industrial design in Madrid and Paris he joined Fabrica in 1997, the Benetton-funded design and communication academy, working closely with the legendary image-maker and agitator Oliverio Toscani. In a short time he was promoted from student to head of their Design Department, where he oversaw projects ranging from shop, restaurant and exhibition conception to design and graphics.
Eight years later, Hayón broke out on his own, first with collections of designer toys, ceramics and furniture, followed by interior design and installation. His singular vision was first fully exposed in his Mediterranean Digital Baroque at London’s David Gill Gallery in 2003, an exciting mise-en-scène largely executed in ceramic. In 2006, Mon Cirque followed, travelling to Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris and Kuala Lumpur.
These collections put Hayón at the forefront of a new wave of creators that blurred the lines between art, decoration and design, and a renaissance in intricate, finely-crafted objects within the context of contemporary design culture. Hayón further defined his vision in subsequent solo shows at London’s Aram Gallery and Milan’s Salone de Mobile. His work has also attracted the attention of prestigious art collectors at Germany’s Vitra Museum, London’s Design Museum, Rotterdam’s Vivid Gallery and the Gronginger Museum (also in Holland).
Hayón’s esteem and knowledge of artisan skills and his inherent creativity has allowed him to push the boundaries of many mediums and functions, resulting in collections for very diverse clients. His concern for the conservation of craft skills has joined his path with high-end traditional companies concerned with the evolution of their work. Examples of this are his collaborations with Baccarat, Choemon in Japan, Bosa Ceramiche and Lladro.
He has created furniture ranges for iconic Danish company Fritz Hansen, Magis, Established and Sons, Bisazza, B.D. Barcelona, Se London, Bernhardt Design, Ceccotti and Moooi. Hayón has designed various lighting fixtures collections for Metalarte and also in collaboration with Swarovski and Baccarat. He has created accessories for Piper Heidsieck, Gaia and Gino and The Rug Company. He designed his first wristwatch collection for a new Swiss watch brand OROLOG which launched in late 2013. These collections have put Hayon at the forefront a new wave of creators that blur the lines between art, decoration and design and a renaissance in finely crafted, intricate objects within the context of contemporary design culture.
Adding to his acclaimed intramurals for Madrid’s La Terraza del Casino restaurant and Camper footwear stores, Hayón is currently working on interiors for leading hotels, restaurants and retail establishments around the world that have become platforms to create special objects and functional and non functional elements.
Most recently, he has completed the Nirav Modi Flagship boutique in New Delhi, Octium – a jewellery shop in Kuwait, the Faberge Salon in Geneva, Switzerland and the Info Center for the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands. Hayón’s latest Restaurant, Le Sergeant Recruteur in Paris, is a good example of elegance and artistic approach to the interior world. Hayón is launching his new "Monochrome" Timepiece Collection for Swiss watch brand OROLOG during the London Design Festival 2014.
His work has appeared in the most prestigious art and design publications worldwide. He has won numerous awards including "Best Installation" by Icon Magazine, "100 Top list" and "Breakthrough Creator" by Wallpaper Magazine, Elle Deco International Award 2006 and 2012, Elle Deco Germany's "Best International Designer" 2008, "Best Designer" for Elle Deco Japan in 2008, Ad Russia "Designer Of The Year" 2009, Maison Objet Designer Of The Year 2010, among many others. In 2008, Hayón was guest of honour at Belgium’s Interieur Biennial, the youngest person ever to receive the accolade. Time magazine included Hayón as one of the 100 most relevant creators of these times and Wallpaper magazine has listed him as one of the most influential creators too.
With offices in Italy, Spain and Japan, Hayón’s main interest is to find challenges and new perspectives continuously.