A New Series from an Independent Voice
New York, NY. Salon 94 Design and Cj Hendry will present Pastel, a new exhibition featuring beading work by the celebrated artist. On view from August 6 through 16, 2026, Pastel marks an energetic new series from an artist widely regarded as one of the most influential independent voices working today.
An Immersive, Hands-On Experience
At the center of Pastel is a hands-on installation: a massive pit filled with pastel-colored beads, all drawn from Hendry’s signature visual world. Beloved characters such as juju and Balloon Dog appear alongside the artist’s distinctive flowers and smiley faces. Visitors are invited to reach into the pit and create their own collection of beads to string into a bracelet, necklace, or charm, a participatory experience that continues Hendry’s long-standing commitment to engaging her audience directly and in real time. Drawings and editions of her iconic imagery will also be on view, alongside her signature merchandise, including caps, t-shirts, jewelry trunks, leather trays, and acrylic keyrings.
Bridging Independent Practice and the Gallery System
For more than a decade, Hendry has built an independent global following through large-scale installations, experiential activations, and direct-to-public releases. Working outside the traditional art establishment, her projects have reached massive audiences worldwide, including more than a million followers on Instagram, many of whom have never set foot inside a museum or traditional gallery. With Pastel, Hendry builds a bridge between her grassroots practice and the gallery system, a collaboration sparked when art market expert and Yale lecturer Magnus Resch introduced her 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.
Exhibition Details
Pastel by Cj Hendry and Salon 94 Design runs August 6 through August 16, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at 3 East 89th Street, New York, NY.
About Cj Hendry
Cj Hendry is an internationally recognized contemporary artist known for her hyperrealistic drawings and large-scale installations. Through a distinctive practice combining technical precision with audience-driven experiences, Hendry has built a global following and established herself as one of the most influential independent artists working today.
About Salon 94 and Salon 94 Design
Founded by Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Salon 94 and Salon 94 Design is a leading contemporary art gallery dedicated to presenting innovative artists whose practices challenge conventional boundaries across art, design, and culture.
About Magnus Resch
Magnus Resch, Ph.D., is an art market expert, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Yale University lecturer. He is the founder of Magnus.net, described as the AI-powered “Shazam for Art,” as well as Larry’s List. His research has been published in Science and Nature, and he has authored eight books on the art market.
