St Vincents Hosts Evolving Forms: The First Solo Show by Goons

Esteemed Antwerp gallery St Vincents is thrilled to unveil Evolving Forms, the debut solo exhibition by Paris-based design atelier goons. Founded in 2020, goons is the creative partnership of Mia Kim, whose experience as a designer and creative editor for renowned Parisian fashion houses spans multiple artistic disciplines, and Paul Trussler, an architect who honed his craft under the legendary Frank Gehry. Together, they seamlessly bridge architecture, fashion, and sculpture, redefining contemporary design with an artisanal approach that balances simplicity and precision.

Much like the works of Donald Judd, the pieces in Evolving Forms emphasize the inherent beauty of humble materials, particularly plywood, and explore a vocabulary of volume, form, and utility. These designs are deeply informed by the couple’s daily life as they raise a young family, resulting in pieces that are pragmatic, joyful, and finely crafted.

“The name goons reflects our strong desire for simple solutions,” Paul explains. “Judged lightly, these solutions might be considered rudimentary or even rudish, but there’s a strong philosophy and quiet sophistication behind each piece.”

Rooted in spontaneity, the collection reflects goons’ ethos of embracing adaptability and playfulness. A notable example is their earlier creation, the ‘3 and a half hour bench,’ crafted on the fly before a dinner party when they realized they lacked seating. Building on this spirit, Evolving Forms features Scandinavian birch plywood sculpted into versatile designs, including a dining set with three tables that can be configured in nine different ways for entertaining, work, or play. The collection also includes stools, benches, and chairs with cushions upholstered in Italian pure wool.

The naming of the pieces pays homage to architectural principles. “Brace” references bracing systems in architecture, while “Five Points” nods to Le Corbusier’s modernist principles, such as free plans and pilotis. These architectural influences are reflected in the structural flexibility and bold simplicity of the designs.

Located in a converted 1700s printing house, St Vincents is a boutique gallery dedicated to contemporary and collectible design. Founded in 2016 by Henri Delbarre and Geraldine Jackman, the gallery balances established talents with emerging voices. Their curatorial approach emphasizes craftsmanship, provenance, and the narratives behind each object, creating a space where design fosters meaningful dialogue.

Evolving Forms is on view at St Vincents , Kleine Markt 13 in Antwerp, Belgium from January 23 to March 1, 2025