Todd Merrill Studio is pleased to announce our representation of esteemed architect and designer George Ranalli. Ranalli, whose work sits at the intersection of neoplasticism, minimalism, and postmodernism founded his architectural design firm in New York in 1977. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he is credited with carrying forward the lessons of Italian architect Carlo Scarpa into contemporary settings. Like Scarpa and another architectural influence, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ranalli has created bespoke furniture and object design concepts in tandem with his interior architecture throughout his storied career.
This gallery partnership marks the first time that Ranalli’s original furniture design work will be made available for public purchase. The gallery will introduce Ranalli to a new generation of collectors through a selection of limited edition, hand-crafted furniture including tables, chairs, and case pieces.
According to Ranalli, design isn’t simply producing objects. It’s about creating works of art that express something of the nature of human identity. He believes that, “when furniture is no longer solely or primarily looked at as a means of function, it holds the potential for artistic expression.” Ranalli has developed a uniquely modern design language that’s particularly in tune with both history and setting.
In the realm of contemporary furniture, George Ranalli’s designs effortlessly transcend conventional utilitarian boundaries, becoming a captivating medium for artistic expression within domestic contexts. This singular vision materializes through a persistent investigation into material characteristics, a steadfast dedication to precisionist technique, and an inexhaustible wellspring of intellectual curiosity. He masterfully blurs the line separating the familiar from the enigmatic. Beyond its aesthetic allure, Ranalli’s furniture design and craftsmanship stand as a homage to the profound heritage of human artistry and inventive prowess.
Ranalli’s timeless furniture designs are part of the permanent collections of the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Denver Art Museum, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as private collections around the world. He has been exhibited in the U.S. at the Cooper Hewitt Museum, Detroit Art Institute, Hudson River Museum, La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Internationally he has been exhibited at the Biennales of Venice, Paris, and Ecuador, the Canadian Center of Architecture, the Helsinki Festival of Art, and the Promosedia International Chair Exhibition.
Background
For more than four decades, distinguished American architect George Ranalli, FAIA, has crafted a diverse body of work, spanning visionary civic masterplans and culturally significant projects, to the design of groundbreaking private residences and product designs. His extraordinary talents have earned him global recognition, with his creations featured in numerous publications, as well as esteemed gallery and museum exhibitions. Ranalli is the recipient of numerous awards that celebrate his unwavering dedication to design excellence.
Ranalli is a dedicated scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of design through his research and practical work. His fifth monograph, titled “In Situ: George Ranalli Works & Projects” (2015), published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publications, is a testament to his thoroughness and creative vision. His enduring influence on the fields of architecture and design is evidence of his steadfast commitment to artistic merit, innovation, and the mentorship of upcoming generations of architectural and design visionaries.
