Whoody - Bench

José Lévy is a multidisciplinary artist who navigates fluidly between the decorative and plastic arts, infusing them with poetry and humor. Each of his creations expresses a distinctive blend of fantasy and rigor.
This project continues his broader body of work, which is characterized by a constant dialogue between French and Japanese cultures. José Lévy has maintained a close relationship with Japan since childhood, thanks to his grandparents , official suppliers of tatami mats for the Olympic Games and collectors of Japanese art. This early fascination was later reinforced through numerous collaborations with Japan, including his solo show at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Paris, where he created Le Veilleur, a seven-meter paper lamp in the shape of a samurai. This emblematic work symbolizes Franco-Japanese cultural interaction and illustrates his talent for blending traditions into a contemporary language.
This artistic dialogue with Japan runs throughout his practice and enriches his unique perspective on tradition and its reinvention. Recently, he was appointed Creative Director of the French Pavilion for the World Expo in Osaka 2025, and he has also expanded his iconic collection for Saint-Louis, Les Endiablés.
José Lévy has received numerous distinctions, including the Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris, the Villa Kujoyama Residency in Kyoto, and the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. He collaborates with prestigious cultural institutions and publishers such as the Manufacture de Sèvres, Cristallerie de Saint-Louis, Hermès, Astier de Villatte, Roche-Bobois, Diptyque, Serax, and Lelièvre.
His works have been exhibited at leading institutions, including the Musée Guimet, the Musée de la Chasse, the Petit Palais, the Palais de Tokyo, and Galerie Perrotin.