Michael Cox might be a designer by trade—he’s the principal of New York-based firm foley&cox and owner of its retail extension in the Hudson Valley—but he’s never shied away from his affinity for art. “We have a wonderful tradition of highlighting and celebrating the creative talents of artists that work in oil, watercolor, photography, clay, and many other mediums,” he shares. “It is literally part of the DNA of foley&cox HOME.” This month, Cox blurs the line between art and design display with Woven Together, an exhibition at foley&cox HOME that celebrates the life and legacy of Fernando Bengoechea.
Best known for woven photography—a technique where he took two identical photographs, hand-sliced them in thin strips, and then hand-wove them back together— Bengoechea’s work has long been a source of inspiration for Cox.
Fernando Bengoechea (Photo by Rebecca Greenfield); “Karma Tree Series 1”
“Fernando’s creative genius of adding an additional layer of interest to a flat photograph is fundamental to our creative process,” he explains. “His artwork inspired us to find a wallcovering with palm trees to wrap the drawer fronts of a chest for a Florida project – the same concept as elevating by adding an additional dimension.”
(Left) Brothers Alejandro, Marcelo, and Fernando Bengoechea; Argentina 1997. (Right) Marcelo with Fernando’s work.
But the dream showcasing Bengoechea’s influential pieces finally became a reality when Cox connected with the photographer’s brother Marcelo, who has dedicated his life to preserving his brother’s legacy since his tragic death in 2004. (In fact, Marcelo even learned the art of woven photography and recreates some of Fernando’s most well-known pieces.)
When it came to whittling down Bengoechea’s expansive portfolio to the eight images that Woven Together comprises, Cox followed the advice he often gives clients and collaborators. “We chose the pieces that truly spoke to us and resonated with timeless inspiration,” he explains. “Rather than a definitive theme, we chose a tight selection of strong images: A mini collection that will be powerful when presented as a grouping, but each dynamic enough to stand (or hang) alone.”
With images from the popular Karma Tree Series to Hear the Ocean—a dynamic shot of a shell that Cox says offers a “subliminal echoing technique between nature and artist”— Woven Together deftly shows the world through Bengoechea’s eyes. But, for Cox, Woven Together will help keep the photographer’s legacy in focus. He says: “Our hope is to bring this beautiful art to a whole new audience and introduce Fernando’s story to new collectors.”
Woven Together will be on view from September 2, 2023 through September 30, 2023 at foley&cox HOME. Visit foley&cox HOME at 317 Warren Street in Hudson, New York.
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