THE COMPANY
Cumulus Studios was an artist-led project founded in 2008 by landscape designer Nathalie Karg. Between 2008 and 2011, the studio developed a series of projects that invited established and emerging contemporary artists to design functional outdoor objects, giving them the freedom to realize personal, often playful visions within the practical constraints of usability and weather resistance. Since 2013, Nathalie Karg has operated her eponymous gallery, further extending her engagement with contemporary art and design.
Witty, whimsical, and rigorously practical, the works were produced in numbered editions and ranged widely in scale, function, and price, making the collection accessible to diverse audiences and contexts.
The inaugural collection launched in March 2009 and explored themes of garden utility, water, and play. Participating artists included John Bock, Jim Drain, Liam Gillick, Mary Heilmann, Charles Long, Jan Mancuska, Allan McCollum, Rob Pruitt, Ugo Rondinone, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Rob Wynne, and Aaron Young.
The Fall Collection debuted in December 2009 at the NADA Art Fair in Miami Beach. Highlights included a scarecrow by Georg Baselitz, a croquet set by Mark Dion, a garden gnome by Jim Drain, a hare swing by Adam McEwen, folding stools by Marcel Odenbach, an outdoor fireplace by Nathan Mabry, a birdhouse by Andrew Miller, and a light sphere by Leo Villareal.
In 2010, Cumulus Studios participated in The Armory Show and the Independent Art Fair in New York. That year marked the introduction of the studio’s third collection, inspired by Minimalism, featuring a table and seating by Joel Shapiro. Cumulus also began presenting its work through curated exhibitions both nationally and internationally.
Between 2010 and 2011, Cumulus continued to expand its presence through international exhibitions and design-focused art fairs, including Grey Area (Bridgehampton), Design Basel, and Design Miami. Notable works from this period included a liquid rubber–sprayed ping-pong table by Tom Burr, lounge chairs by Mike Bouchet, a weathervane by Rirkrit Tiravanija, and a flip-flop table by Jim Lambie.
Beyond its core collections, Cumulus Studios developed several parallel initiatives during this period. The B-Line featured a series of affordable benches by artists such as Jim Drain, Tom Burr, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. The Swimming Pool Line translated motifs by Cecily Brown and Mark Grotjahn into large-scale mosaic works installed at the bottom of pools. The Textile Line consisted of unlimited editions of waterproof, UV-resistant textiles sold by the yard, with designs created by more than fifteen artists.
Cumulus Studios also undertook special commissions between 2008 and 2011, advising, curating, and producing custom outdoor functional works by contemporary artists. The studio oversaw all aspects of fabrication and installation, collaborating with private foundations, museums, and individual collectors seeking site-specific, functional artworks.