Hydroforming the Future: Gerard Dombroski's Exhibition, Inflation
Send us a textWhat happens when steel becomes soft? When industrial materials take on organic forms? In Gerard Dombrowski's debut solo exhibition "Inflation" at Season Aotearoa Gallery, steel transforms into something unexpectedly fluid and inviting.We turn the microphone on our own Gerard Dombrowski as he shares the journey behind creating "Inflation"—a collection of hydroformed steel objects that challenge our perception of what's possible with metal. The exhibition features approximately 19 pieces, including wobbly vases, rocking chairs, and cushion-like forms, all arranged as a garden-like landscape visitors can explore.The conversation dives deep into Gerard's technique of hydroforming—welding steel shapes together, connecting a tap, and using water pressure to expand the metal outward into organic, bulbous forms. It's a process that combines precision with chance, creating objects that appear impossibly soft despite their metallic composition. The rocking chair stands out as a particular achievement: a hydroformed cube with natural roundness that creates a functional rocking motion, complete with cushions and surprisingly comfortable seating.What makes this exhibition particularly fascinating is Gerard's background in architecture and how it influences his artistic practice. The conversation follows his ambitious vision to scale up the hydroforming technique to create actual buildings—a hydroformed shed as proof of concept, potentially leading to larger structures. This cross-pollination between art and architecture demonstrates how creative experimentation in one field can generate innovative approaches in another.Beyond the technical aspects, Gerard reveals how the exhibition came together through spontaneous creation rather than detailed planning—a month of "full send in the workshop" that nearly resulted in physical collapse from exhaustion. His story reminds us of the intense physical and mental demands of bringing creative work into the world, especially when pushing the boundaries of materials and processes.Check out "Inflation" at Season Aotearoa Gallery in Auckland before July 12th, and experience these remarkable objects that blur the boundaries between art, design, and architecture. Sit in the rocking chair, observe the garden of steel flowers, and glimpse a potential future where our buildings might take on unexpectedly organic forms.Key Links:https://www.seasonaotearoa.com/https://www.gdw.nz/menuhttps://artfair.co.nz/2025/07/02/meet-the-artist-gerard-dombroski-season/Please Like and Subscribe it really helps :) Follow us on @designpriciplespod on Instagram and if you wish to contact us hit our DMs or our personal pages. We love to hear from you it really encourages us to keep going and the ideas and feedback we get from the listeners is awesome!
Design Principles Pod
Architecture. A hot topic, a buzz word, a realm for the rich and famous, or the thing that your step uncle does? We will be unpacking the good, the bad and the downright reality of the architectural and construction industry. With insights from industry professionals and personal anecdotes from our three hosts Ben, Gerard and Sam, you will be given a look behind the closed pages of those fancy looking moleskins. Tune in and redline out.
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