'S Chair', handmade abstract wooden chair by Tom Vaughan

This S Chair is an early design by Tom Vaughan and is one of his first explorations into flow and movement; in this case, movement of the paintbrush. The chair’s form arises directly from the flowing curves of a hand-painted letter ‘S’, transforming the two-dimensional lines of calligraphy into a functional three-dimensional form. These early influences remain strong throughout all his work and are a noticeable signature.

The beautifully hand-carved chair reflects the highly skilled craftsmanship of Vaughan’s studio, where, through constant innovation, he and his team produce complex works in wood, metals and plastics. Such pieces highlight his interest in converging traditional craft techniques with contemporary design and manufacturing processes.

The flowing form and smooth materials of this particular piece particularly demonstrates the inspiration taken from Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Influenced by such artists, Vaughan stresses the tactile quality of each piece, and considers his work as functional sculpture.