We intended to highlight the 20/20 Visionaries-to-Watch featuring Steaven Richard much earlier in 2020, but we found it wise to hold his story until it felt right to release.
When you think of the word vision, you almost immediately associate that word with sight, your sensory ability. It is something required to turn a thought into innovation. To have vision doesn’t specifically mean the ability to see something physically, but rather an intention or inclination to create change.
At the beginning of 2020, OBVIOUS had intentions of using our vision to create new stories, highlight new outlooks, and continue offering the cutting edge content that our viewers have grown to love over the years.
What started out as a promising new decade quickly turned into a dark age of disorder as COVID-19 became a global threat that altered all of our realities.
Amid the pandemic, the masks of American “justice” started to show themselves more clearly than ever before as an uprising from the Black Lives Matter movements called out the wrongful murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others at the hands of police brutality.
One thing was sure: It clouded our vision.
There needed to be some refocusing of what matters and what messaging #TeamOBVIOUS could provide to its audience that would resonate with something optimistic and hopeful.
The world has now spent more than half of the year enduring the stress of these trying times, yet we can still look towards the people making a difference as a means of inspiration.
There’s no doubt that the individuals selected in this article showcase a tenacity and touch of creativity that has shown the potential for greatness in their lives and for others.
They’ve used their heart and motivation to strive for change and create space for new generations to learn from them.
It is with great honor that OBVIOUS Magazine presents: The 2020 Visionaries To Watch.
20/20 Visionaries: Atelier Steaven Richard
Your contributions to design are renowned and exhibited around the world. In what ways can the medium of metalwork get more young artists interested in this art form?
Steaven Richard: Fifteen years ago, those of us with an inking in ancient art history thought that digital art had taken over other forms of expression; however, the heirs of classic metal artisans like Julio Gonzalez and David Smith are still very much alive.
The newer generations are interested in metalworking to express themselves, both in the field of decorative arts and in the field of sculpture, and I’m very attentive to these new ideas.
Your partnership with Rémy Martin in 2019 saw the creation of an exquisite anamorphic sculpture for Mai- son Rémy Martin along with a limited-edition redesign of the iconic “XO” decanter set. As an artist, what is it like developing this type of craftsmanship with such a household name?
Steaven Richard: Working with challenges is always a source of creativity, and Rémy Martin was one of those. The biggest challenge was to incorporate the powerful Centaur symbol in a well thought out visual. After a long series of productive discussions with the House, I used my vision and expertise as a metalwork artist to build this work with them.
I was incredibly moved when the piece was revealed, and I had a great pleasure to take up those challenges with such a household name.
Certainly, because Rémy Martin and I share the same values: we have a strong bond with nature, and fire, air, earth, and water are present in metalwork.
What words of encouragement would you give to the next generation that will follow in your footsteps?
Steaven Richard: In art, there are always new possibilities. Revisit the past with your contemporary eyes.
View the entire 20/20 Visionaries List here.
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