Cover A stylised female figure representing Mother Nature forms the centrepiece of Shepard Fairey’s Delicate Balance artwork on the limited edition Archibald armchair’s backrest
A stylised female figure representing Mother Nature forms the centrepiece of Shepard Fairey’s Delicate Balance artwork on the limited edition Archibald armchair’s backrest
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The iconic Poltrona Frau Archibald armchair by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud arrives at Proof Living in a new limited-edition Pelle Frau leather reinterpreted through artwork by American contemporary arttist Shepard Fairey, with just 200 editions produced worldwide
Some icons endure because they remain open to reinvention. Across decades, design classics are refreshed through new interpretations—sometimes through materials, sometimes through colour, and often through collaborations that bring fresh cultural perspectives to familiar forms. The Archibald armchair is one such icon.
The iconic Archibald armchair by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud for Italian brand Poltrona Frau arrives at Proof Living Singapore in a new limited edition titled Delicate Balance, reinterpreted by American contemporary artist Shepard Fairey. The edition is strictly limited, with just 200 pieces produced worldwide.
First introduced in 2009, the original Archibald quickly established itself as a contemporary classic. Massaud conceived the piece as an enveloping armchair that balances relaxed comfort with sculptural elegance. Its generous proportions are softened by finely gathered upholstery that forms natural folds across the inner shell, creating a welcoming, almost draped appearance. Supported by slender metal legs and wrapped in Poltrona Frau’s meticulously crafted leather, the armchair conveys both lightness and refinement.
Over the years, the Archibald has become one of the brand’s most recognisable designs, appearing in homes, hospitality settings and design collections around the world.
In case you missed it: Poltrona Frau honours Gio Ponti’s legacy with limited edition Dezza armchair for 60th anniversary
Above Adorned with Shepard Fairey’s blue rose motif, the wooden shipping crate itself becomes a collectible design object
Above The wooden crate is decorated with selected motifs from Shepard Fairey’s illustration that covers the limited-edition armchair
Adorned with Shepard Fairey’s blue rose motif, the wooden shipping crate itself becomes a collectible design object
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Above Shepard Fairey’s signature palette of blue, red and yellow graphic panels unfolds across the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
Shepard Fairey’s signature palette of blue, red and yellow graphic panels unfolds across the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
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Shepard Fairey is one of the most influential voices in contemporary street art. An artist, graphic designer, and activist, he is the founder of Obey Clothing and the creative agency Studio Number One. In 1989, while studying illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, he created the Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker, which later evolved into the globally recognised “Obey Giant” campaign. In 2008, his portrait of Barack Obama became a worldwide symbol of hope, marking a pivotal moment in contemporary visual communication. In 2017, he launched the We The People campaign in conjunction with the Women’s Marches, further establishing his role as a leading voice in socially engaged art. With over 140 public murals worldwide, Fairey is now among the most sought-after and provocative artists on the international scene, continuously redefining the dialogue between art, urban space and society.
Above American Contemporary artist Shepard Fairey (Photo: Jeffrey Rovner)
American Contemporary artist Shepard Fairey (Photo: Jeffrey Rovner)
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For Poltrona Frau, Fairey created Delicate Balance, an artwork reflecting on the relationship between humanity and nature. The visual roots of the project draw from some of Shepard Fairey’s most significant works, here converging into a new and cohesive narrative. The central female figure represents Mother Nature—both gentle and powerful—recalling Make Art Not War (2015) and its evolution into the Paris mural inspired by the values of the French Republic, where a contemporary Marianne embodies civic dignity, collective responsibility and social awareness—here extended to environmental themes.
Birds surrounding a flower reference Natural Springs Bird, Version 2 (2024), evoking the fragile and precious balance of nature, while the large flower echoes Rise Above Flower (2022), symbolising birth, transformation and interconnectedness. Additional elements draw from works such as Peace Fingers (Geometric) (2020), reflecting Fairey’s ongoing commitment to linking aesthetics with collective responsibility. Rather than being directly quoted, these elements are transformed into a new visual narrative exploring the relationship between humanity, nature and the future.
The title Delicate Balance itself acts as a statement—an invitation to reflect on the value and fragility of our connection with nature. By bringing together his most recognisable visual symbols, Fairey turns the Archibald armchair into a refined dialogue between art and design.
Above Front view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
Above Back view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
Front view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
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Above Right side view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
Above Left side view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
Right side view of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair
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The entire illustration of the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair is digitally printed on Pelle Frau ColorSphere Impact Less leather using an advanced new technique. For this collaboration, multiple layers of colour were applied to selected areas of the design, enhancing visual depth and the expressive quality of the surface. Certain sections are further enriched with selective 3D embossing, creating subtle reliefs that add a tactile dimension to the piece. This evolution required additional development and longer production times compared to standard processes, reflecting Poltrona Frau’s ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries and balancing craftsmanship with material innovation. Pelle Frau Impact Less leather is produced through a more sustainable tanning process introduced in 2022, eliminating chrome (Cr3) and achieving a 15% reduction in chemicals and a 10% reduction in water consumption through advanced wastewater recovery technologies.
Here, the leather becomes a canvas for Fairey’s imagery, with the artwork carefully positioned across the armchair’s enveloping form so that the composition unfolds across the seat and backrest.
Above In Singapore, Poltrona Frau collections are available through Proof Living
Above The Archibald Delicate Balance armchair revealed inside its custom wooden crate printed with Shepard Fairey’s artwork
In Singapore, Poltrona Frau collections are available through Proof Living
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Produced in just 200 numbered editions worldwide, the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair transforms the familiar piece of furniture into a collectible design object where art and craftsmanship meet. Even the wooden crate in which the armchair is delivered carries Shepard Fairey’s distinctive graphic artwork, extending the collaboration beyond the object itself.
In Singapore, Poltrona Frau is available through Proof Living, where the Archibald Delicate Balance limited edition armchair can be explored alongside the brand’s wider collections.
Proof Living, #04-16 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn. Tel: 6509 0555. proof.com.sg
Above The Poltrona Frau logo stamped on the wooden crate underscores the armchair’s craftsmanship and provenance
The Poltrona Frau logo stamped on the wooden crate underscores the armchair’s craftsmanship and provenance
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