Editor in Chief Margaret Russell Shares What She’s Excited About This Fall

Jason Martin’s Untitled Ultra Blue (2014). Photo: Courtesy of Mixografia, 2017 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London

There’s a fascinating synchronicity that occurs time and again at design magazines: More often than you might think, a distinctive object appears by complete coincidence in multiple homes in the same issue. I was happily surprised to discover Jason Martin’s lyrical paintings in two of our current features: the Madrid home of Michael Smith and James Costos as well as in a Gil Schafer–designed Fifth Avenue apartment. Far from seeming ubiquitous, this kind of serendipity is intriguing, and this time it prompted me to pay attention to an artist whose work was unfamiliar and which I now find enchanting.

I’m also enchanted by Carmen Herrera, the 102-year-old powerhouse painter. Her latest passion project is a collaboration with Publicolor at a middle school in the Bronx, where students produced a mural based on her artwork, and the results are simply dazzling.

The students of M.S. 244 in the Bronx at work on a mural inspired by artist Carmen Herrera. Photo: Courtesy of Publicolor

Supporting the creativity of students is always intoxicating, and in addition to my new role editing Galerie, I’m excited to be serving as the honorary dean of the School of Building Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for the next year. SCAD’s students are the visionary talents of our future—and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a front-row seat. 

A dress by fashion designer Guo Pei, whose first solo exhibition opens at SCAD FASH Museum in Atlanta in September. Photo: Courtesy of SCAD