Dearly Beloved - Cocktail Restaurant
2024
3D Design
For the upscale cocktail restaurant Dearly Beloved in Chicago, I was commissioned to design and execute two monumental sculptural pieces that now serve as the dramatic bar back centerpiece. Spanning a combined length of 40 feet, these works were conceived to create a surreal, immersive environment that balances storytelling, fine detail, and bold presence.
Creative Direction
I was given full creative control over the design, from conceptual exploration to final execution. The vision was to create two contrasting yet complementary pieces: one evoking dreamlike serenity, the other embodying darker, more surreal elements. Together, they frame the bar as a narrative journey, guiding guests through dual states of consciousness.
Design & Production
Software Used: The project was modeled and visualized entirely in Cinema 4D, allowing for precision, scale accuracy, and experimentation with form and lighting.
Artistic Elements:
Sculpted faces and hands emerging from intricate ornamental backgrounds, merging human form with organic and floral motifs.
Highly detailed baroque-inspired carvings to emphasize craftsmanship and depth.
Surreal composition of figures, extending arms, and layered symbolism, blurring the line between sculpture and environment.
Execution
The final statues were produced at full architectural scale, measuring approximately 40ft across the bar back wall.
The installation integrates seamlessly with the interior architecture, wrapping around structural columns and engaging directly with the bar space.
Both pieces were designed to hold visual impact under restaurant lighting conditions, ensuring details remain vivid across varying moods.
Impact
The result is a signature visual landmark for Dearly Beloved. Guests encounter not just a bar but a fully immersive art experience—an environment where surrealism, fine detail, and modern design converge. The sculptures serve as both a backdrop and centerpiece, embodying the restaurant’s brand identity and atmosphere.
