Artist CJ Hendry is back in New York with her latest exhibition titled Pastel. This installation at Salon 94 Design trades traditional museum boundaries for a hands-on experience that centers on a massive pit filled with colorful beads.
Visitors can interact with the installation by digging through thousands of pastel-colored beads. These beads feature motifs from Hendry’s visual language, such as her signature Balloon Dog, Juju characters, flowers, and smiley faces. The exhibition invites attendees to collect these items and assemble them into custom jewelry pieces like necklaces or bracelets on-site.
Beyond the bead pit, the gallery features a collection of Hendry’s drawings and limited editions. The show also highlights her signature merchandise, including leather trays, jewelry trunks, acrylic keyrings, caps, and T-shirts.
This project marks a shift in how Hendry approaches her art. While her work often exists outside typical gallery walls, this collaboration with Salon 94 Design pulls her community-first practice into a dedicated exhibition space. It is designed to feel accessible, turning the gallery into a destination for active participation rather than passive viewing.
The exhibition is open to the public from August 6 through August 16. Those interested in attending or viewing the full collection of works should visit the official website for Salon 94 Design.