Industrial Design

Milan Design Fair 2017 · Cast Impressions by Studio Henry Wilson

In another highlight from Australian designers at the Milan Design Fair 2017, today we showcase a new range of captivating desktop accessories from Studio Henry Wilson.

The Sydney-based designer’s ‘Cast Impressions’ collection made a magnificent debut at Aesop Brera during the world’s premier design event in Milan last week.

Written
by
Elle Murrell

Studio Henry Wilson showcased ‘Cast Impressions’ at Aesop‘s Milan store as part of Milan Design Week this month. Photo – Felix Forest.

The sand-cast bronze range includes lights and series of table and desktop accessories. Photo – Felix Forest.

‘Fold’ cast in high tensile brass – one of the new prototypes from Henry’s ‘Cast Impressions’ exhibition at Aesop Brera in Milan last week. Photo – Felix Forest.

Brass articulated spotlight – one of the new prototypes from Henry’s ‘Cast Impressions’ exhibition at Aesop Brera in Milan last week. Photo – Felix Forest.

Henry Wilson’s heat treated surface sconce light. Photo – Felix Forest.

Assorted cast bronze functional objects from Studio Henry Wilson. Photo – Felix Forest.

Writer
Elle Murrell
14th of April 2017

Young Australian designer Henry Wilson already has two distinctive stores fit-out for skincare trailblazer Aesop in Sydney under his belt. It’s not surprising then that the brand’s Milan store proved the perfect backdrop for him to unveil the Studio Henry Wilson ‘Cast Impressions’ collection, this month as part of Milan Design Fair 2017.

Henry’s sculptural range materialised from his exploration of the history of the casting process, as it has been used for some 6000 years. Sand cast in bronze, and featuring a rumble polished finish, the designs were created in collaboration with a local foundry near Henry’s eponymous studio in Sydney.

Though emerging from age-old techniques, the Surface Sconce lights and series of table and desktop accessories are strikingly contemporary in form. Both tactile and precious, the trays, dishes, bookends, and hooks have been designed with utility and longevity of use at their core.

‘There is a clear form and function in my products, but it’s important they also have feeling,’ explains Henry, who studied visual arts at the Australian National University School of Art in Canberra, specialising in woodwork, before undertaking a Masters at the Design Academy Eindhoven. In 2012, he established his Studio Henry Wilson, gaining acclaim for his A-Joint range of cast aluminium components used for the simple and flexible construction of tables, benches and stools.

‘I am interested in the awkward beauty that comes from something made by hand,’ tells the furniture and project designer. ‘I like to explore how imperfection can be introduced into an industrial process, to make something at scale that retains a sense of individual charm.’

To see more Studio Henry Wilson designs and shop the collection, visit the website, here.

Sydney-based designer Henry Wilson. Photo – Brett Stevens.