Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayón was born in Madrid in 1974. As a teenager, he submerged himself in skateboard culture and graffiti art, which has formed the foundation of the detailed, bold-yet-whimsical imagery so imminent in his work today.

After studying industrial design in Madrid and Paris he joined Fabrica in 1997, the Benetton-funded design and communication academy, working closely with the legendary image-maker and agitator Oliverio Toscani. In a short time he was promoted from student to head of their Design Department, where he oversaw projects ranging from shop, restaurant and exhibition conception to design and graphics.

Eight years later, Hayón broke out on his own, first with collections of designer toys, ceramics and furniture, followed by interior design and installation. His singular vision was first fully exposed in his Mediterranean Digital Baroque at London’s David Gill Gallery in 2003, an exciting mise-en-scène largely executed in ceramic. In 2006, Mon Cirque followed, travelling to Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris and Kuala Lumpur.

These collections put Hayón at the forefront of a new wave of creators that blurred the lines between art, decoration and design, and a renaissance in intricate, finely-crafted objects within the context of contemporary design culture. Hayón further defined his vision in subsequent solo shows at London’s Aram Gallery and Milan’s Salone de Mobile. His work has also attracted the attention of prestigious art collectors at Germany’s Vitra Museum, London’s Design Museum, Rotterdam’s Vivid Gallery and the Gronginger Museum (also in Holland).

Hayón’s esteem and knowledge of artisan skills and his inherent creativity has also allowed him to push the boundaries of many mediums and functions, resulting in commercial collections for clients as diverse as bathrooms for ArtQuitect; domestic furniture for b.d. ediciones, Established & Sons, and Moooi; lighting fixtures for Metalarte and Swarovski, textiles for Berhardt Design; champagne buckets for Piper Heidsieck; vases for Gaia and Gino; and ceramic objects for and Bosa Ceramiche.

He has also conceived two important collections for Bisazza; and the Rencontres collection for Baccarat, in which Hayón reinterprets the firm’s famous cut crystal by adding elements of ceramic and plastic to the vases and lamps. His ongoing work as a creative consultant for the Spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladró has led the company in a new direction and resulted in his own collection, Fantasy.

Adding to his acclaimed intramurals for Madrid’s La Terraza del Casino restaurant and Camper footwear stores, Hayón also continues to develop interiors for leading hotels, restaurants and retail establishments around the world.

Hayón resides in London, with offices in Barcelona and Treviso (Italy). His work has appeared in the most prestigious art and design publications worldwide. He has won numerous awards including Best Installation (Icon), Breakthrough Creator (Wallpaper) and the 2006 Elle Deco International Award. In 2008, Hayón was guest of honour at Belgium’s Interieur Biennial, the youngest person ever to receive the accolade.