NEW YORK, NY.- Salon 94 Design + Cj Hendry present Pastel, a show that includes beading by celebrated artist Cj Hendry. On view August 6–16, 2026, Pastel marks an energetic new series by an influential independent voice.

At the heart of Pastel is a hands-on installation: a massive pit filled with pastel-colored beads, all connected to Hendry's signature visual world. Beloved characters such as juju and Balloon Dog are at play with the artist’s distinctive flowers and smiley faces. Visitors are invited to reach in and create their own collection to string on a bracelet, necklace, or charm — a participatory experience that extends Hendry's long-standing commitment to her audience in real-time. Drawings and editions of iconic imagery will also be on view, alongside her trademark swag including caps, t-shirts, jewelry trunks, leather trays, and acrylic keyrings.

For over a decade, Hendry has built an independent global campaign through large-scale installations, experiential activations, and direct-to-public releases. Working outside of the normative art establishment, her activations have reached huge audiences around the world (with upwards of a million followers on Instagram.), many who have never been inside a museum or traditional art gallery. With Pastel, Hendry builds a bridge between her bold grassroots practice and the gallery system — a collaboration sparked when art market expert and Yale lecturer Magnus Resch introduced Hendry to Salon 94 Design founder Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn.

"Salon 94 Design understands the importance of experimentation and audience connection," said Hendry. "This exhibition creates a bridge between the world I've built and a more traditional gallery context.”





"I am interested in how artists invent their own currency – from one dollar to millions. We are impressed by the scale of her following, her self-directed marketing, and her ability to connect with people across traditional boundaries," said Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn. "This is a fun, engaging event in our building with a charismatic maker.”

"Cj has built an extraordinary audience independently, and Pastel shows how established galleries and entrepreneurial artists can work together to create something meaningful for new audiences, a new generation of collectors, and the broader public," said Magnus Resch.

Cj Hendry is an internationally recognized contemporary artist known for her hyperrealistic drawings and large-scale installations. Through a distinctive practice that combines technical precision with audience-driven experiences, Hendry has developed a global following and established herself as one of the most influential independent artists working today.