Carpenters Workshop Gallery Paris presents an exhibition of work by the internationally acclaimed British designer Paul Cocksedge, who focuses on simplicity and imagination to create unique, people-centred designs. The displayed works are from the Squeeze installation, which originates in the artist’s fascination with reflectivity, embodying his innovative use of materials and light.
The exhibition sees Cocksedge delve into the process of creating reflective surfaces, which he describes as a form of alchemy – a combination of liquids that form a perfect mirror layer. This process made the artist imagine the time before the invention of the mirror, when humans saw their rippling reflections in water or hazy reflections in semi-polished metal.
As a starting point for these works, Cocksedge compresses three-dimensional soft circular forms. These shapes are then reinterpreted into two-dimensional mirrors, transforming the essence of the soft forms into flat, reflective surfaces, creating a sense of movement. The work’s frames serve as structures that hold these forms in place.
Known for pushing the boundaries of materials and technology, Cocksedge has spent nearly two decades building a reputation for innovative design infused with a sense of joy and wonder. His installations have been featured in major cultural institutions and public spaces worldwide.
Together with Joana Pinho, he co-founded Paul Cocksedge Studio in London in 2004, which produces a wide range of projects that blend art, design and engineering. The studio has won national and international acclaim for its original and innovative design, underpinned by research into the limits of technology, materials and manufacturing processes.