Jean-Michel Gadoua

Q&A with Jean-Michel Gadoua


Where did you grow up? How did it influence you?

Montréal, Québec. My practice is heavily influenced by the Brutalist architecture in the city. We have quite the brutalist heritage in Montréal, especially our metro system. Basically all the stations are brutalist, and a lot of our public art as well. It definitely informed my vision and my style.


What’s the most prized object you own? Why?

An early 1980s travertine chest of drawers by Maitland-Smith which I got in a vintage store for a good price. It looks like a sarcophagus, it's amazing and I've never seen another one like it ever.


In a world overflowing with objects, why continue making new things?

Exactly. That's pretty much why I am only making one-offs and very limited series. There's a lot of amazing stuff out there, and sometimes it makes me want to stop making things because why add something else? But then I think that we all have our own voices and we can create unique objects if we put our heart into it, and that's fun.


What design movement, current or historic, do you think is the most overrated and why?

"Collectible design". It is used to label virtually any limited-edition piece of furniture made today. I especially hate the way bigger online resellers will use the words "collectible" and "curated", while pushing thousands of shitty papier mâché stools down your throat. The mass promotion of low-quality items under these labels is a reflection of the "enshittification" of the design industry. Prioritizing aggressive marketing over genuine quality and design integrity is not cool and totally poser. 


What’s your favorite material to work with and why?

Melted plastic because it's almost impossible to predict the end result and because I use recycled plastic. This way I don't feel too bad making another unnecessary object.


If you designed a chair describing your relationship with your father, what would it look like?

Dude, I actually made one. It's called the Late Death Chair (he is deceased) and it's dropping this Winter. It's a wood chair with a super high back and cast-bronze hands for feet. It represents the importance of being grounded to allow for self-elevation, and through that, the fact that I have learned a lot from him.


Tell us about something that inspires you.

Music. Music is my fuel, it nourishes my soul and influences every aspect of my work.


What would you do differently if you started your practice today?

I don't think I would change anything at all. I think that everything we do, good or bad, paves the way for better work to come.


Any advice for young designers?

Kill yourselves now.


Any regrets?

YOLO


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