Sculpting with Nature

13/09/2024 - Founded in 2008 by Sam Pratt and Valerio Capo, London's GALLERY FUMI, which specialises in art and design, is hosting its first solo exhibition of new furniture by Tuscan artisan Francesco Perini, who intricately inlays and veneers aged Tuscan wood with a wide variety of complementary materials. The seven designs in the exhibition are inspired by desert rose crystals, which grow in a circular pattern around grains of sand, creating a rosette-like shape that resembles a rose blossom. They are said to symbolise endurance, strength and reconnection, reflecting the ability to withstand harsh conditions.

Perini, who refers to his work as 'creatures' to express their living, breathing and evolving qualities, uses seasoned wood to highlight his marquetry expertise, inlaying local metals and stones to create unique pieces. These include side tables in oak and white Carrara marble, a bench in oak and Giada green marble and a dining table in oak and and Fiori di Bosco marble. Other items include a textured oak altar-like console with Canaletto walnut inlays and the Nucleo oval coffee table in oak and steel embedded in the wood to capture light and create different visual effects. The Nucleo range also includes wall units in oak and brass. Pratt and Capo state, 'When we first met Francesco over twelve years ago, we were drawn to his approach and craftsmanship. We encouraged him to implement it on collectable design works for FUMI. We have always valued working with designers who reimagine traditional techniques through a contemporary lens, and this presentation celebrates a remarkable and inspiring collaboration. It has been an immense privilege to see his creations grace some of the most beautiful homes in the world.'

Born into a family of skilled woodworkers, Perini was inspired by generations of Florentine artistry. In over forty years of activity, he has transformed the carpentry workshop into a place for producing unique collector's items, combining wood with stone, obsidian, marble, iron and glass. Underlining his deep connection with nature and the Tuscan landscape, Perini works in the open air to capture the subtleties of the trees and natural rock formations that inspire his work. In 2022, Perini was awarded the Contemporary Design Award from the PAD London jury for his work Casamona.