In 2018, a pivotal Beverly Hills collaboration marked an early milestone in the professional presentation of Zack Zublena’s fine art photography. The project at The Cellar Beverly Hills, developed with esteemed interior designer César Giraldo , demonstrated how his distinctive gold body photography could contribute to the identity of a professionally designed interior. This installation set a new standard for integrating large-scale art into luxury spaces, showcasing a powerful synergy between photography and high-end design.
This retrospective revisits the project as a foundational case study in the development of Zack Zublena’s work and the ZZGALLERY collections. It provides essential context for the artist’s later, expanded presence within luxury, fitness, and wellness environments, offering a blueprint for how professional art buyers, interior designers, and architects can leverage fine art photography to create unforgettable spaces.
Zack Zublena began photographing gold-painted human figures in Los Angeles in 2015, shortly after completing his first artistic nude photoshoot. The experience revealed a new direction for his work: transforming the human body through gold-colored body paint, controlled lighting, and photography. The 2018 installation at The Cellar Beverly Hills became an important early opportunity to present this developing body of work within a professionally designed commercial interior. The Cellar Beverly Hills project was a foundational moment, featuring a striking blue-and-gold visual identity meticulously created by interior designer César Giraldo . Zack Zublena’s photography, depicting human subjects rendered in reflective gold-colored body paint, was selected to complement this carefully designed environment. The gold tones within the large-format photographs created a strong, resonant relationship with the interior’s blue-and-gold palette. Rather than functioning as generic decoration, the artwork became an integral part of the visual character and narrative of the space.
This project demonstrated how fine art photography can support and amplify an interior designer’s vision through strategic use of color, composition, scale, and atmosphere. For Zublena, it also represented an important early professional application of his artistic approach, proving its viability and impact within a sophisticated commercial setting.
A key factor in the project's success was the commanding scale of the artwork. The selected pieces were produced as 46 x 72-inch prints, a size that carries significant visual weight and is capable of anchoring the design of an entire room. In professional spatial design, such large-scale works move beyond simple decoration to become architectural elements in their own right. They create powerful focal points, guide sightlines, and define the emotional atmosphere of an interior.
To ensure longevity and enhance their aesthetic value, the photographs were presented with museum-grade framing. This professional standard is critical for long-term installations in commercial and hospitality environments. It not only protects the fine art print from environmental factors but also elevates its presentation, signaling a commitment to quality and artistic integrity that aligns with the expectations of a luxury clientele.
The subjects in the photographs were covered in a reflective gold-colored body paint, not gold leaf. Through highly controlled studio lighting, Zack Zublena transformed the human form into something luminous, abstract, and sculptural. The resulting images explore the intricate relationship between light, shadow, movement, and the body, creating a sense of dynamic energy and timeless elegance.
Within The Cellar’s interior, the warm, reflective qualities of the gold tones in the photography created a dynamic contrast with the surrounding cool blue elements. This interplay of color and light strengthened the interior’s distinctive identity and established a sophisticated, immersive atmosphere. Together with the interior lighting, the photographs contributed depth, warmth, and a distinctive visual focus to the space.
The Beverly Hills project was a clear demonstration of how carefully selected photography can become an indispensable component of an interior. Large-format artwork can establish a focal point, influence the mood of a room, and connect visually with a designer’s chosen color palette. This principle of art integration is highly relevant to a range of professional sectors, including hotels, spas, wellness centers, aesthetic clinics, fitness clubs, and yoga studios—all spaces that seek to cultivate a memorable and cohesive visual identity.
A thoughtfully curated collection of fine art photography can contribute deep meaning and artistic character to a commercial space while supporting the intended atmosphere of the interior. It elevates the environment from merely functional to truly experiential, leaving a lasting impression on guests and clients.
Following early milestones such as The Cellar project, Zack Zublena’s professional presence within fitness and wellness interiors expanded considerably. Today, his fine art photography is permanently displayed in more than 120 David Lloyd Clubs across the United Kingdom and continental Europe, including locations in Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. This large-scale, multi-location installation underscores the suitability and appeal of his photography for contemporary professional environments dedicated to fitness, health, and well-being.
This established presence places the 2018 collaboration at The Cellar within a broader professional trajectory—from an important, singular Beverly Hills interior project to extensive installations across numerous international locations. For art procurement teams, this history demonstrates how Zack Zublena’s photography has been selected for both individual interiors and extensive multi-location environments. For more details on this major project, explore the case study on how Zack Zublena's artwork decorated more than 120 David Lloyd Clubs.
ZZGALLERY presents curated collections of Zack Zublena’s fine art photographic prints for private collectors and professional interior designers. The Gold Fine Art Photography Collection explores powerful themes of transformation, identity, strength, and the sculptural possibilities of the human form, making it an ideal choice for spaces intended to inspire and empower.
Other collections offer different visual and thematic directions. The Golden Souls collection emphasizes luminous, ethereal human forms, while The Holy Collection offers imagery that may resonate within contemplative, sacred, and meditative environments. By working with these established collections, designers can ensure a cohesive and resonant aesthetic across a single property or multiple locations.
Interior designers, architects, hospitality professionals, and art procurement teams can explore Zack Zublena’s fine art photography when considering artwork for private, commercial, or multi-location interiors. The available collections provide different visual and thematic directions, allowing professionals to identify works that complement the atmosphere and identity of a particular environment.
Inquiries may be submitted to ZZGALLERY to discuss available fine art photographic works, print sizes, and the general requirements of a professional interior project. Further information about Zack Zublena’s artistic background and professional history is available on the ZZGALLERY About page.
ZZGALLERY does not provide interior design, architectural, or installation services. The gallery’s focus is exclusively on providing information and access to available fine art photographic works for private, professional, or multi-location projects. Interior design teams may contact ZZGALLERY for available information about the selected photographic works and can coordinate any additional planning or installation requirements with their own contractors.
The 2018 collaboration at The Cellar Beverly Hills remains an important milestone in Zack Zublena’s professional history. Created in dialogue with César Giraldo’s blue-and-gold interior, it demonstrated definitively how art and design can work together to establish a cohesive and memorable atmosphere. This project continues to serve as an inspiring example for new collaborations in the luxury, wellness, and hospitality sectors.
Interior designers, architects, hospitality professionals, and art procurement teams interested in Zack Zublena’s fine art photography are invited to contact ZZGALLERY to discuss available works for private, professional, or multi-location interiors.
