Haas Brothers

The Haas Brothers, twins Nikolai and Simon (b. 1984; Austin, TX), grew up surrounded by creativity. Raised in a family of artists— with a screenwriter and opera singer mother, a painter and stonemason father, and an actor brother—artistic expression was ingrained in their upbringing. This creative environment fostered their early collaboration, although their paths temporarily diverged for academic pursuits. Simon pursued painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, while Nikolai explored music in Los Angeles.

In 2009, the brothers reunited to collaborate on furniture commissions for high-profile clients in Los Angeles, officially founding their joint studio in 2010. Initially focused on whimsical furniture design, they soon evolved into groundbreaking artists, blending art and design with humor and originality.

The Haas Brothers are best known for their playful yet intellectually rigorous practice, which blurs the lines between art and design. Their work is characterized by riotously colorful biomorphic forms, furniture adorned with whimsical details, and pun-infused titles. The duo marries Simon’s penchant for analysis and systemization with Nikolai’s playfulness and creativity. Their studio integrates a systematic approach to materials with a commitment to challenging social constraints, aiming for emotional and spiritual resonance in their work.

Employing a diverse array of materials such as brass, bronze, glass marble, porcelain, and wool, the Haas Brothers create works that juxtapose the functional with the fantastical. Their creations range from furniture pieces with unique features like furry bodies and biomorphic brass feet to sculptural works depicting fantastical beasts and otherworldly figures. The playful use of intricate beading, animal fur, and technical resins adds to the charm of their creations, which often feature humorous names referencing notable people.

The Haas Brothers’ work aims to evoke childhood innocence and liberate viewers from societal norms, particularly those associated with sexuality and gender. Through shock, humor, and titillation, they seek to release viewers from notions of shame and preconceived stereotypes, transporting them to a world of fantasy and freedom.

The Haas Brothers have exhibited widely in the United States and internationally. Their work has been showcased in solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as the Katonah Museum of Art and the Bass Museum of Art. They have also been featured in group exhibitions at notable venues, including the San Jose Museum of Art and Sculpture Milwaukee. In 2019, they received the YoungArts Foundation Arison Award.

Their work is part of permanent collections at esteemed institutions like the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, solidifying their status as influential figures in the art world.

Now based in Los Angeles, Nikolai and Simon continue to push the boundaries of creativity with their unique blend of art and design. Their upcoming exhibitions at the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Cranbrook Art Museum are eagerly anticipated. With each creation, the Haas Brothers invite audiences into realms of imagination, challenging them to explore new perspectives and possibilities.