Two oversized, glossy Pink Chairs by internationally renowned artist Cj Hendry have found a permanent home at the State Library of Queensland. At first glance, the works resemble inflatable lounge chairs—soft, playful, temporary. In reality, they are made of solid brass, each weighing 130 kilograms, and are part of Hendry’s acclaimed Inflatable series.
The Pink Chairs challenge perceptions of weight, form, and material, subverting the familiar icon of a light, impermanent inflatable into a monumental artwork. Installed on the Library’s front lawn at South Bank, the sculptures invite curiosity: people approach expecting bounce, only to discover solidity. Visitors sit, climb, and interact, turning the work into an evolving dialogue between art and public space.
About the Artist
Born in 1988 and raised in Brisbane, Cj Hendry is celebrated for her hyperrealistic large-scale drawings, created with obsessive detail in ink and coloured pencil. She rose to global fame through Instagram, redefining how contemporary artists connect with audiences and collectors. While her practice began with drawings of luxury items and everyday objects, Hendry has expanded into immersive exhibitions and experimental sculptural works.
Her bold, playful approach to materialism and scale has earned her a worldwide following, with installations presented in New York, Venice, and now permanently in Brisbane.
Artist’s Words
“I really wanted these chairs to have a home in Australia and State Library felt like the perfect long-term home. People usually approach the chairs with a bit of confusion—they’re thrown off by the juxtaposition of material and setting. They sit, they climb, they look. It’s really cool to know my work is part of that collection back home.” – Cj Hendry
Location
Pink Chairs by Cj Hendry
State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, South Bank
