Of Nature - Whipped chair

Whipped is focused on carving. Wilkinson & Rivera were inspired by intricate shapes that they kept seeing in ceramics. Having already explored twisted forms in their work, they liked to invoke a more delicate feeling with sharper edging. The duo turn initial shapes on a lathe using handheld tools and then carve twists using an angle grinder. The result prompted nostalgia of childhood treats – Mr. Whippy ice creams, whipped cream from a can.

Handcrafted by the artists in their east London studio, these pieces require tremendous woodworking skill. The result is an intricate design that’s beautiful and tactile. Made in a limited edition of ten.///Description
Whipped is one of four chairs in the Of Nature collection, which marks the beginning of a larger body of work. The project was initially inspired by “Verb List”, an artwork from 1967 by the radical American sculptor Richard Serra. Serra’s Verb List is a handwritten compilation of what he called “actions to relate to oneself, material, place, and process.” The four chair designs are addressed by Wilkinson & Rivera as actions.

Titled Puffed, Wilted, Whipped, and Rippled, the designs are made from four different woods. Each design touches upon traditional woodworking processes: steam-bending, hand-turning, carving, and hand-cut joinery. The duo uses these processes to manipulate the wood in a way that progresses what’s expected of timber furniture.