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Lightness of Form Terence Woodgate X John Barnard

New York

13 May – 18 Oct 2026

Lightness of Form is an exhibition by acclaimed British designer Terence Woodgate. Shown for the first time in New York at Carpenters Workshop Gallery New York, the works are a refined study in balance, where structural innovation meets sculptural clarity. Developed in close dialogue with pioneering Formula 1 engineer John Barnard, this presentation of a focused selection of works – Carbon Chair, Chaise Lounge, and Wedge Desk – continues the designer’s exploration of space, movement, and minimalism.

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New York | USA

Carpenters Workshop GalleryVisit

Artists

Terence WoodgateJohn Barnard

Exhibition Statement

The Chaise Longue explores the human body in motion, translating ergonomic function into a continuous, sculptural line. Its form flows seamlessly from one point to another, creating a sense of suspended movement that echoes both aerodynamic design and the contours of the reclining figure. Carbon fibre enables this fluidity, allowing the structure to flex subtly while maintaining its integrity, producing a dynamic equilibrium between softness and support. The piece resists conventional segmentation—there are no abrupt joints or visual interruptions—resulting in an object that feels both engineered and organic. In this way, the Chaise Longue operates as both a functional seat and an abstract study of line, rhythm, and bodily interaction.

The Wedge Desk presents a more angular and architectural expression, defined by a sharply resolved geometry that emphasises tension and precision. Its form is characterised by a tapering volume that appears to cut through space, creating a dynamic interplay between mass and void. Despite its solid appearance, the desk retains a sense of visual lightness, its proportions carefully calibrated to minimise bulk while maintaining structural clarity. The use of carbon fibre allows for crisp edges and refined surfaces, reinforcing the desk’s sculptural quality. As both a workspace and an object of contemplation, the Wedge Desk articulates a dialogue between function and abstraction, where utility is subsumed into a broader exploration of form.

Across all three works, carbon fibre plays a central role as a display of technology and as a means of achieving visual lightness and structural efficiency. The material allows forms to shift between flexibility and rigidity, enabling designs that feel both minimal and highly resolved.

This New York presentation highlights the ongoing dialogue between Woodgate’s conceptual clarity and Barnard’s engineering precision. Together, their collaboration produces objects that exist between disciplines, functional yet sculptural, rigorous yet poetic.

Artists

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