DANIEL WESTER

Once a photographer, always a photographer. An artistic lens is obvious in Swedish designer Daniel Wester’s work - the way the pieces are arranged, the way they catch the light when set out on a table or against a wall - but that’s only the starting point. Formerly working as a commercial photographer, Wester moved from urban bases in NYC and Stockholm to pursue woodwork in a rural area of Scania, Sweden.

Wester’s surprisingly tender woodwork includes items such as thick, deep spoons with almost unbearably thin handles, and soft-looking birch vessels with a zipper-effect made in homage to Yojhi Yamamoto, and other small items.

Ark Kollekt curator Lotta Agaton says, “to me [Wester’s] spoons are the most beautiful mix between art and everyday objects.” Aligned with the connection between art and function is also the thread between mind and body; it is only through both that Wester’s dream-like work becomes a reality.

For Ark Kollekt 03, he presents a series of carved bowls and trays, made of ebonised cherry.