JOSH SPERLING

Modularity is at the core of Sperling’s practice. So it is no surprise that he would extend this approach to furniture–a grown-up manifestation of his love for Legos as a child. Sperling’s playful contemporary take on the clean lines of mid-century furniture builds upon the legacy of Pierre Paulin’s iconic geometric furniture from the 1960s. _Spectrum Modular Seating _is a rainbow arrangement of the artist’s signature “bullseye” and “double bubble” motifs, as bulbous stools that fit together to make up a three-dimensional version of his “Double Bubble”

paintings. Like Paulin, Sperling does not compromise artistic integrity for functionality. The stools are user-friendly and easily come apart, but when brought back together, they are more than the sum of their parts, forming an inviting and bold pinwheel that is aesthetically pleasing and facilitates social interaction. In fact, the design of the stools provides a visual cue that establishes a sense of connection and harmony.

Throughout the course of his artistic practice, Sperling has continuously referenced the worlds of design and architecture as inspirations for his sculptural works on canvas. Sperling relates that he was initially drawn to design for its direct connection to craft—a tangible and appreciated quality easily found growing up in Western New York. Sperling has translated his painting language into full-bodied design objects that turn functionality into aesthetic experiences.