Born 1878 in Ireland into an aristocratic British family, she escaped the restrains of a
privileged life to Paris, where she lived for over 70 years. When she was born Queen
Victoria was on the throne and when she died men walked on the moon. Her life, which
was truly extraordinary, span a century and she was involved with many of the leading
architects and designers of her time in France, Germany and in the Netherlands. The
film will describe the art scene of Paris in the early years of the last century with its
important art exhibitions, that forged the style of this century. She was a deeply independent
and solitary person; strong willed and stubborn. Brought up in the confines of
social conventions, she broke many rules.
Today she ranks among the most influential architects and designers of the last century
and her name is mentioned with those of Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer, Mies van der
Rohe and others. Gray´s legendary house E-1027 is called one of the most interesting
examples of modern architecture. Her furniture is now part of the collections of leading
museums. The “market” of her furniture and designs has spiralled out of all reasonable
proportions and collectors pay millions to acquire an original piece of hers. Serious studies
and books about her work have been published in many countries and languages,
and hardly a week goes by without her name appearing in a magazine.
The award-winning director Jörg Bundschuh tells the story of a woman in a man’s
world. The story of success and failure and the rediscovery of a great artist. It is also the
story of the making of an icon.

Eileen Gray in the permanent collection of Die Neue Sammlung | Design in the Pinakothek der Moderne (Basement 1, Room 7)
S-Chair, 1932-1934
Prototype for Eileen Gray's House "Tempe à Pailla" in Castellar, France

A cooperation of Die Neue Sammlung – State Museum of Applied Arts and Design | Design in the Pinakothek der Moderne – with Design Zentrum Munich and ClassiCon
Location:
Ernst-von -Siemens-Auditorium | Pinakothek der Moderne, Barer Strasse 40, D-80333 München
Info:
Tel. +49 (0)89-23.805-260, +49 (0)89-27.27.25-0
info@die-neue-sammlung.de