Robert Marinelli

AGO Projects presents the launch of the Mictlán Collection, the newest body of work by American designer Robert Marinelli, created in Mexico in close collaboration with local artisans.

Inspired by Mesoamerican mythology, the collection centers on Cihuacóatl, the mother goddess and creator of humanity. Each piece explores transformation as a metaphor for creation, drawing on Mexican folk traditions reimagined for a contemporary context. Sustainable materials are shaped into sculptural forms that evoke the bones of ancient inhabitants of the earth, an homage to origin myths and metamorphosis.

Marinelli’s work is highly conceptual, defined by bold experimentation with materials, textures, and colors, a process of release and discovery, allowing the materials to express their own truth. Through the hands of skilled artisans, these inherent qualities are elevated, transforming each piece into a functional work of art.

-AGO Projects

About Robert Marinelli

As a furniture designer, Marinelli’s work dissolves the boundaries between art and design by honoring the materiality, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of the skilled artisans he collaborates with. His creations bridge ancient and contemporary worlds by exploring and utilizing natural, sustainable, and noble materials alongside new technologies. Marinelli fuses these elements in idiosyncratic ways to achieve both sculptural and architectural forms. Each piece in his collection possesses a distinctive narrative and is made from expressive materials that manifest his diverse artistic inspirations.

Marinelli began his design career in Asia and Europe, where he collaborated with leading development firms on specialized retail and hospitality projects. His innate sense of curiosity and collaborative spirit elevated him to an essential role within design and production teams, fostering private commissions with artists and artisans for projects in Tokyo, Berlin, Singapore, and Istanbul. His hands-on approach and cross-cultural experiences continue to shape his distinctive aesthetic and design philosophy.

Upon returning to New York, Marinelli launched his emblematic furniture collection in major cities before establishing his namesake gallery and interior design studio in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. As one of the district’s pioneering visionaries, his gallery emerged as a downtown destination, showcasing his own collection or works alongside a curated selection of twentieth-century design, contemporary art, lighting, and textiles.

Created through an ever-evolving lens, Marinelli’s work has expanded to include limited-edition collections for collectible art galleries, installations for cultural and environmental exhibitions, and licensing commissions with national home furnishings brands. His work has been featured in leading print and digital publications, including Architectural Digest, AD PRO, 1stDibs Introspective, Forbes, The World of Interiors, Dwell, Elle Decor, Departures, Luxe, Wallpaper, and Lannoo Publications.