Pandas on the walls, behind the bar and distributing hors d’oeuvres—what else would you expect when you honour Rob Pruitt, as RxArt did for its gala on 2 November? The fundraiser came with a speech from Jenna Lyons, the creative director and president of clothing retailer J.Crew and a close friend of the artist. “I would do anything for him,” she said, “and I am not nice”. The pair met years ago at a benefit. “We ended up making sculpture at our table out of breadsticks and random food products and butter,” she said. “It was hysterical. He couldn’t have been more warm and generous.” What was the sculpture of? Was it abstract? Did it look like a person? “It looked like a body part,” Lyons said, matter-of-factly.
