Alain Gilles’ path to design was anything but conventional. With a background in political science and a career in finance, his transition into the world of design in 2007 was driven by a passion for creativity, a desire to shape the objects that surround us, and the idea of leaving something behind. This unexpected journey allowed him to bring a unique perspective to furniture and product design, one rooted in analytical thinking, but also in intuition and emotion. His practice has since developed across furniture, lighting and objects, and through collaborations with some of the leading international names in contemporary design
For Alain Gilles, design is a deeply human discipline. His work is characterized by a harmonious balance between form and function, where every curve, line, and material serves a purpose. He believes that furniture should not only be beautiful but also evoke emotion, tell a story, and create a connection with its users. Hens his attention to what he calls the “readability” of his pieces. When talking about his work he often mentions the notion of “simplexity”, pieces that are easy to understand at first glance, yet reveal deeper layers of meaning upon closer inspection. More recently he referred to some of his work as “minimal radical” pieces, monolithic pieces that are both iconic and accessible.
With Almost 20, Alain Gilles deliberately steps away from the retrospective format. Rather than revisiting iconic or historical pieces from the past two decades, he has selected works mostly developed during the last three years. The exhibition consequently presents his practice as a work in progress, revealing recent continuities as well as emerging directions with pieces that continue to investigate, refine and challenge its own vocabulary. This is not a retrospective but a forward-looking celebration.