My first encounters with this post modern hero of mine was when I was still in high school with visions of becoming a famous postmodern architect. The "Memphis" style as it was known in the '80s, took the spare lines of the standard mid-century design ideals and added whimsical sometimes silly decoration.
His furniture design speaks to my 18 year-old self, but I am sorry to say that it leaves my, ahem, mature self a little uninspired. I do, however, fondly remember the excitement over his designs in my youth. He made things that made me say, "Yes, just like that! I want to make that!"
I did love my original Alessi teapot (pictured above) I bought it in 1986 for $110 and that, my friends, was a crap load of cash for a young thing like me to fork out for something I would not let anyone use. I sold it and now have regrets.
Farewell Mr. Graves.
