Pharrell Williams is the man these days. The critically-acclaimed producer emerged this years as a Grammy winning and Oscar nominated pop star. While his appearance on Oprah drew tears. Now he’s taking his talents to Paris by curating an exhibition of modern art.
Pharrell’s show titled “G I R L,” named after his new album, features artistic works created by friends like street artist JR, along with Japanese artists Takashi Murkami and Mr. The aforementioned creatives are known for combining fine arts themes with Japanese pop culture. Also making an appearance in the Paris show are Brooklyn-based painter-graphic designer KAWS, Belgian sculptor
Williams, who was introduced to the world of art by French art curator Emmanuel Perrotin, says the idea came about after he gave his album to Perrotin.
"It says 'curating by Pharrell Williams,'” he said, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, “but it should really be 'the education of Pharrell Williams,' because I'm just learning."
The 41-year-old has already created several pieces himself by collaborating on a few projects. His first artwork — a series of chairs with human shaped legs made with the support of Mr. Perrotin — drew positive reviews.
With Mr. Perrotin and his Galerie Perrotin team, Williams selected and commissioned art pieces around three themes, culling a collection that is spread over two floors of a townhouse in the Marais neighborhood of Paris.
Inspired and picked by Pharrell, there's also a tribute to women by a diverse array of artists with varying artistic and political views with works inspired by their relationship to their own bodies.
Other artworks focus on music and videos, including a painting by Japanese artist Mr., which depicts Williams as a manga-style character dancing amid girls from a host of countries.
The exhibition opened Tuesday and will close June 25.
