John Gnorski, represented by Studio AHEAD
Man Kozo Lantern, 2026
Douglas fir, Thai kozo paper, porcelain electrical elements, hand printed with one of three woodblock images carved by the artist
11 x 7 x 11 inches ‍
 
These lights are made of Douglas fir, Thai kozo paper, and porcelain electrical elements, and hand printed with one of three woodblock images carved by the artist for this winter solstice collaboration (a bird taking flight, a horse resting in a field, and a moonlit dancer). Every element of the lights is handmade, from the delicate joinery of the wooden frames to the woodblock images, each of which is printed by hand (without the aid of a printing press). They are intimately scaled wall sculptures that transform a space with their warm, comforting glow.
 
Studio AHEAD is a San Francisco-based art and design collective founded by Homan Rajai and Elena Dendiberia. Our approach is “borderless” in that our roots are far-flung yet deeply embedded in Northern California’s history. Drawing from our diasporic experiences, we believe strongly that there is no universal idea of functionality that fits all cultures and people. What remains constant is an appreciation of tradition and craftsmanship. John Gnorski is an artist living in Pt. Reyes Station, CA. He works in sculpture, drawing, painting, and the design and fabrication of emphatically handmade functional objects.
 
Photo by Aaron S Cheung, Esto.