Exhibition Details

Gallery FUMI presents Crafted in Metal a group exhibition celebrating creativity and craftsmanship as designers explore the landscape of metalwork in contemporary design. The exhibition showcases a curated selection of metalworks, each weaving unique narratives through the exploration of different alloys and techniques, resulting in a diverse and eclectic showcase of contemporary design works.
Highlights include works from the Les French series by Glithero, which serve as a testament to the beauty of the prototype. Ad-hoc configurations of bamboo joined together with wound string are transformed from delicate to permanent through the process of casting in bronze. Volumes in wood are constructed on top of the bronze bases and finished with layers of dyed gum-paper. The family of works includes a floor light, side tables, a sideboard, and a cupboard.
Traditional craftsmanship meets the contemporary in Francesco Perini's work, with steel marquetry on oak for a dining table from the Pebbles series. Inspired by the secluded surroundings of Tuscany, the designer translates delicate formations of balanced pebbles into large-scale design works where only the subtle perfection of curves and a net of steel inlay can suggest human intervention.
Max Lamb's Metalware series offers a fresh perspective on utilitarian design, with seating crafted entirely from standard diameter metal tubes of steel, copper, and brass. Lamb explores the interplay of form and function, paying homage to the long-standing tradition of British woodware furniture while embracing contemporary aesthetics through the adoption of metals.
New sconces from Shinta Nakajima’s Acanthus series are crafted from precious metals including Britannia silver and 23ct gold, drawing inspiration from the traditional Acanthus plant motif found in centuries of silversmithing. Nakajima reimagines the motif through hammering, piercing, and patination techniques, inviting observers to reconsider imperfections as reminders of the plant’s imperfect beauty.
Sculptures from Emma Witter’s Heavenly Bodies series are inspired by the interconnectedness of nature and human creativity, consisting of clusters of copper-plated oyster shells coated using a delicate electroplating process, resulting in precious and highly tactile works.
Variations of metals are combined in side tables by Thomas Lemut, with interlocking slices of aluminium, copper, stainless steel, black steel, and brass, and by Study O Portable, with painterly layers of jesmonite imbued with aluminium, copper, and brass.
Additional works include a floor standing light in bronze by Voukenas Petrides, sculptural mirrors and table lamps in steel by Tuomas Markunpoika, floor sculptures crafted to resemble doormats and lighting sculptures in lead by JAMESPLUMB, and steel and mirror mixed media wall-mounted works by Sam Orlando Miller.