# Nostalgic Paper Pulp Chairs Thomas Barger's 'Growing Up' Exhibition Recreates Childhood Memories By Amy Duong | Published 2018-03-07 | Updated 2018-03-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/growing-up References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/03/07/thomas-barger-growing-up-salon-94-design-cartoonish-paper-pulp-chairs/) & [salon94design](https://www.salon94design.com/exhibitions/growing-up/) Brooklyn-based artist Thomas Barger crafted a collection of 'Growing Up' furniture pieces inspired by his childhood memories back in Illinois. The collection is comprised of a series of [paper pulp chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bultan-chair) that are being showcased at the [Salon 94 Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-famiglia) gallery in New York. Barger's furniture pieces are also [sculptures of expression](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archetypes), as he is reflecting upon his childhood more then ever since his recent coming out experience. Every piece from the Growing Up collection is the artist's way of embodying a transition from the past to adulthood. The chairs each correlate to a place or memory from his time in the Midwest. For example, the curved chairs with thick leg foundations and perforated details resemble sand formations from a creek in Illinois. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Nostalgic Furniture Design:** Creating furniture pieces that evoke childhood memories and nostalgia, providing consumers with sentimental and comforting experiences. - **Paper Pulp Artisanal Crafts:** Utilizing paper pulp as a sustainable and versatile material for artistic expression, offering unique and eco-friendly design options for various industries. - **Personal Expression in Design:** Infusing personal stories and experiences into art and design, allowing artists to connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture:** Exploring innovative designs and materials in the furniture industry to create nostalgic and sentimental pieces that resonate with consumers. - **Art and Sculpture:** Incorporating paper pulp as an artistic medium, enabling artists to create sculptural pieces that convey personal narratives and evoke nostalgic emotions. - **Sustainable Design:** Embracing paper pulp as a sustainable material option in various industries, promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing reliance on traditional materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sprouting Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-chair-on-grass.md) - [Toy Block-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloc-collection.md) - [Paper-Formed Premium Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pastille.md) - [Whimsical Childlike Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-eternal-child.md) - [Vibrant '90s-Inspired Armchairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holloway-li.md) - [Kid-Designed Sculptural Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galerie-philia.md) - [Waste-Incorporated Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knoll-chairs.md) - [Sculptural Paper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti.md) - [Upcycled Plastic Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafting-plastic.md)