Kelly Wearstler Sculpts with Stone for "Nudo" Collection

Kelly Wearstler has created a collection of stone furniture and objects, with forms inspired by weaving techniques.

Designed alongside natural materials company ARCA, the Nudo 2.0 collection was unveiled at this year's  Art Basel Miami Beach 2024. For Wearstler, inspiration came from combining visuals brought about by ancient techniques with cutting-edge production methods.

Having worked together in 2022 (on Nudo 1.0), the new collection expands on Wearstler's previous ARCA collaboration. This time, she has created a coffee table, dining table, lounge chair, bench, and – a real highlight – a ping pong table.

Each piece begins life as a 3D render, allowing the shape and design to be adapted and changed. Then, a stone is selected. For Nudo 2.0, Wearstler chose to work with Onyx. "Each piece begins as a monolithic block of stone, transformed through a blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative technology," Wearstler said. "With each stone’s natural intricacies, no two pieces are alike. Each design embodies its own distinct spirit, honoring the raw beauty and expressive character of marble."

For the coffee table, the Onyx is carved to feature an undulating base. The dining table takes on the shape of a natural rock formation weathered over time, and the bench is crafted to have layered, hollow arches. The ping pong table is intended to double up as a dining table, with the net being easily removed.