Pia Wüstenberg: Utopia & Utility

PIA WÜSTENBERG

Pia Wüstenberg’s practice is based on combining the functional approach of design with the bespoke and unique nature of art.

Posted 2 November 2016

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A passion for natural materials and handmade processes, the wish to learn from others and apply her creative thinking to traditional making methods is the basis of her design company Utopia & Utility.


Pia was born in Germany, where she lived with her Finnish mother, German father, sister and brother. With a home in both countries, she spend much time travelling, enjoying the contrast between her two cultures. At the age of 15 she moved to England to complete her school years, continuing onto a foundation year of studies in Glass, Ceramic and Metal at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design. This was followed by her Undergraduate studies in Furniture Design and Craftsmanship at Bucks New University, where she diversified her skills into mixed media, combining the traditional woodworking methods with various other crafts for her final degree show in 2008.		Pia Wüstenberg

Pia Wüstenberg: Detail Glass Light, paper beads

Pia Wüstenberg: The Glass Lights combine colourful glass shades with unique Processed Paper beads.

Pia Wüstenberg: Kony Lamps


Pia Wüstenberg: Spoll Lamps		Upon finishing she set up her own studio in North Karelia, Finland, working with various local craftsmen for Piadesign. In 2009 Pia returned to the UK for her postgraduate at the Royal College of Arts in Design Products. Her work continued with research into crafts in the contemporary world: finding new applications for the traditional processes as well as inventing new ones. Today she continues her freelance design work from her London studio, as well as running her own design, manufacturing and distribution company Utopia & Utility. Utopia & Utility focuses on craft manufacturing, combining function and fantasy in objects that are handmade.

Pia Wüstenberg: Balanced Bowls are playing with the properties of glass, using the weight of the material to create sharp, narrow based shapes. Diameter 19-25 cm, Height 13-15 cm Big Bird’s are large glass sculptures with an inner void and opening, and a flat top surface. Height approx. Height 35- 45cm


Stacking Vessels Stacking Vessels are functional sculptures: The pieces consist of three individual containers which stack to form the overall shape of a Vessel; each part is made through a craft process using it’s particular material, and is individually fitted together. The shapes are inspired by the human form, the gentle curves of a female or the broad frame of a male flow into the silhouettes of the Vessel. Each Vessel is about the beauty of the form and the beauty in the material, the contrast highlighting the qualities of the elements. Function and fantasy combine into a work of art, creating a contemporary design piece through the makers hand.		Pia Wüstenberg


Pia Wüstenberg: stacked Spool Tables		Pia Wüstenberg +44 (0)7917182471 www.piadesign.eu www.utopiaandutility.eu

Stacking Vessels
These Stacking Vessels are made from Ceramic combined with Glass and Wood.
Design: Pia Wustenberg, 2013
Detail: Glass, Ceramic and Wood, 50cm- 55cm high
Manufacturer: Utopia & utility

Click here to download the file "Pia_Wstenberg_CV.pdf".