Pia Wűstenberg

Pia Wűstenberg’s approach to design is informed by details of beauty, the maker’s life and a pursuit of imperfection and uniqueness. With solidarity and admiration for the handmade, she has specialised in finding intersections and relevance for traditional skills and materials in today’s living environment.

In nature organisms are shaped by their environment and evolution happens gradually through change. Today we are surrounded by anonymous things shaped by intention, fast ageing and emotionally of low significance -Wűstenberg’s work is the antithesis of this; it seeks to create objects rich in narrative, with a transparent and comprehensible lifespan.

Pia Wüstenberg, Future Heritage 2017 Alumna

Pia Wüstenberg believes that humans are coloured by their culture, and the objects that they choose to own, use or create within their (cultural) life, have a reach further then their immediate presence. How and where they are made, how and where they are bought, matters. As a designer, she writes the story of the object she creates.

Her main work is in the form of contemporary Vessels. Objects that encapsulate archaic forms, with new functions. The pieces are called ‘Stacking Vessels’: A vase shaped sculpture, which can be unstacked to form two to three individual containers. Each element in the vase is made by an individual or small workshop in Europe and come together in Wűstenberg’s studio where the components are fitted together.

Pia Wüstenberg was born in Germany but grew up in both Germany and Finland, before coming to the UK to complete her education. Her BA was in Furniture Design and Craftsmanship at Bucks New University, followed by an MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art.

Today she continues developing design and concept based work as a freelance creative from her Studio, as well as designing for her own brand, Utopia & Utility.

Sculpt Rose Alu Ida Blue Lens By Pia Wüstenberg

At Future Heritage

For Future Heritage Pia Wüstenberg created the largest Stacking Vessel to date; an almost one metre high piece of Sculpture in the shape of a Vase. The piece was split into three individual materials, Glass, Brass and Wood, forming a uniform Silhouette. The components could be unstacked and used individually as containers, or left together to form a Sculptural Object.

“Future Heritage brought the studio a renewed following in London, from which several work opportunities arose. We saw an increased interest from interior designers and individuals for my pieces, as well as some interior projects in the public sector.”- Pia Wüstenberg

Current work

Her recent work focusses on developing mixed media pieces with ornamental elements. Cut glass surfaces, feather collars, rattan weave, brass wire etc. form a new repertoire of expression around the archaic shape of containers.

By exploring beyond the silhouette of a piece, and dedicating creative expression to the surface and ornament, Wüstenberg feels that she can imbue a more nuanced character to an object and thus polish its individuality.

Feather Vase With Matisse By Pia Wüstenberg

If you would like to make an enquiry about Pia Wüstenberg and commissions, visit her website www.piadesign.eu.