INTERIOR SCULPTURE STUDIO
FALL 2024
ANN-WESLEY BANKS
SEDIA
This wooden chair, designed by Italian designer Enzo Mari, embodies simplicity, accessibility, and creativity. Mari’s vision was to create designs that anyone could replicate using affordable, everyday tools and materials. His philosophy centered on identifying the essentials, as he explained: “Each time I would attempt to figure out what was essential.”
Inspired by Mari’s principles, I personalized this design by focusing on what was essential to me. For me, armrests were a necessity, which were added ensuring their angle complemented the backrest for a cohesive look. Additionally, I believe joy and satisfaction are integral to any creation. To instill this, I painted the chair’s touch-points a cheerful pink color aimed to spark delight and brighten the user.
FLORA
This luminaire was inspired by a fond memory of light. For me, it was the feeling of sun on your face on the first warm day of spring or finding a beautiful bed of tall, blossoming tulips swaying in a breeze. I love the way the sun brings forth flowers during spring and the process of growth with its’ light.
And so, my light encapsulates the growth pattern of a flower sprouting, unfolding, and revealing a treasure of light inside, illuminating the grooves and textures of the 3D-printed petals and blending seamlessly with the maple wood base.
Inspiration
PLA 3D Print Filament
Mini Bi-Pin Socket (0.67” w)
G4 Bulb
Wiring
Plug Connector
Hard Maple
Tools used: Lathe, Band Saw, Table Saw, Angle Grinder, Drill Press, Palm Sander, 3D Printer
FAVOR
This chair was inspired by a blend of Scandinavian-style minimal frames and the unique upholstery patterns of a safari chair. In choosing Ash wood, I sought to maintain a medium-to-light raw finish and capture the beautiful grain through joinery and a visually clear frame often found throughout Danish design.
Perfecting the design was only the first stage. Choosing the perfect pieces of wood, cutting and tapering each piece, making templates and jigs, continuously asking for guidance, finding enough clamps, and learning how to really sand were all unexpected learning curves in building something I designed. The entire upholstery process happened after the frame was completed with final glue so that I could accurately measure the seat and back. What I thought was a minimal part of the process ended up being critical in so many ways. This entire process took about 4 weeks!
