KU Design Professional Lecture Series: Matthias Pliessnig

Matthias Pliessnig is an internationally recognized artist, sculptor, and furniture designer known for his innovative use of steam-bent wood to create fluid, sculptural forms that blur the boundaries between art, craft, and design. Drawing inspiration from traditional boatbuilding techniques, Pliessnig combines digital modeling with meticulous handcraftsmanship to produce works that are both structurally complex and visually elegant. His large-scale furniture and sculptural installations have been exhibited internationally and are celebrated for their exploration of materiality, movement, and the relationship between the human body and built form. Through his practice, Pliessnig challenges conventional notions of furniture and sculpture, transforming wood into dynamic works that invite interaction and contemplation.