Weld beater: designer Wonmin Park’s first foray into metal

Wonmin Park Plain Cuts Dining Table — Wonmin Park’s new furniture collection ‘Plain Cuts’ is made from patinated aluminium

(Image credit: Press)

Wonmin Park is lauded for his dreamy resin pieces in soft pastel shades, a style which has become synonymous with the Korean designer. In 2016, Park began dabbling in more rigid materials, collaborating with marble specialist Testi for Wallpaper* Handmade.

This year, he is in an experimental moode again, launching a new collection of limited-edition tables (his signature) in patinated aluminium, another first for the designer. Comprising high and low tables, the collection is being presented by Carpenters Workshop Gallery at PAD this week, and also marks the inaugural London showing of the Paris-based designer’s works.

‘I like resin because of its colour, transparency and texture, but it is not a strong material,’ says Park. ‘That’s why I needed to work with it in a certain form. Aluminium is a different story. It’s strong and lightweight, allowing me to create light forms and structures with it.’

&lsquo;Plain Cuts&rsquo; by Wonmin Park — *‘Plain Cuts’ by Wonmin Park*

Titled ‘Plain Cuts’, the collection, as the name suggests, is characterised by cut aluminium sheets. ‘Structures are exposed to the surface and it becomes part of the work itself,’ explains Park. In fact, the intersections of different metal sheets are evident on the tables’ surfaces, creating a decorative grid-like motif. Park traded his softer resin palette for a more industrial look; but, as he is quick to point out, aluminium has appealing qualities too. ‘The colour variation with patina are beautiful. Patina on aluminium is like painting on a canvas.’

The collection furthers Park’s research into the simplicity of forms, his penchant for minimalism evident in the bare geometrics of the tables. ‘My work is about simplicity, purity and perfection,’ he explains. ‘For me, simple forms are more difficult because it has to be reasonable and still be interesting. But I believe it gives the most powerful result.’

Detail of one of Park&rsquo;s designs, designer in his Paris studio with prototype maquettes — a detail of one of Park’s designs. Right, the designer in his Paris studio with prototype maquettes, including his Wallpaper* Handmade project – a desk he created with Italian marble specialist Testi

Wonmin Park Plain Cuts Low Table 4 Plates — ‘Structures are exposed to the surface and it becomes part of the work itself,’ explains Park

Metal head: Wonmin Park&rsquo;s first foray into aluminium furniture — The designer says, ‘For me simple forms are more difficult because it has to be reasonable and still be interesting’

INFORMATION

‘Plain Cuts’ is on view until 8 October. For more information, visit the PAD website and Wonmin Park’s website

ADDRESS

PAD London
Berkeley Square
London W1

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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.