Gufram: Radical Spirit

​Gufram was born in Turin as an artisanal entity. From 1966 until today, its artistic spirit has never died out, remaining the foundation of the ethics and soul of the brand. Known throughout the world for pushing the limits of industrial design, Gufram has a strong radical spirit, fueled by an unconventional and playful aesthetic mixed with avant-guarde experimentation.

The pop, subversive style of the brand has produced a number of icons of Italian avant-garde design, veritable tributes to art and creative freedom. In 2012 Gufram became part of Sandra and Charley Vezza’s Italian Radical Design group and thanks to Charley's artistic direction has achieved an ambitious leap forward through a new commercial and communication strategy which culminated in 2016 with the company's 50th anniversary celebrations. Meet Charley Vezza and discover Cactusrama: the celebration of one of Gufram’s design icons.

​Gufram was born in Turin in the 1960s, with the mission to mix Italian craftsmanship with avant-garde design. How has your brand identity and philosophy evolved to date?

Since 1966, Gufram has continued to produce design icons that have become unique in form and value through the contamination between industrial design approach, craftsmanship and artistic flair. Gufram doesn’t wish to change its deeply non-conformist philosophy and strong brand identity. We are simply taking the Gufram world forward while keeping its lively and iconic personality intact.

The out-of-the-ordinary forms of your pieces are not only a distinctive characteristic of your eclectic style but also a challenge, an occasion for the company to refine its unique production techniques. How do you match this innovative approach with the company’s artisanal spirit?

The artisan production of Gufram is what makes the objects unique, we always look for an innovation in the shapes but always starting from the unique artisan production.

​Gufram’s signature pieces are true icons of Italian and international design, from the Bocca sofa, to the Pratone chaise longue, to the Cactus coat stand, and more. What is the best loved and most popular and why?

Certainly, those you mentioned are iconic and unmistakable pieces in the common imagination. Our pieces are all equally loved and popular. Some people like one object, one shape, one color more than another. Gufram loves each of its products in the same way.

From the Sixties to the present, the company gave life to many design pieces crossing the divide between art and design. Tell us one of the most significant moments in the life of Gufram.

I can't tell you what the most important moment for Gufram is, but the last 10 years of my work with Gufram have been the most significant of my life.

Gufram Presents ​Cactusrama

Gufram celebrates one of its most iconic pieces, the Cactus, showcasing 12 editions of the piece and for the first time, the new collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts. Originally designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, Cactus reflects Gufram’s avant-garde mindset and radical spirit.