Designer Marcin Rusak referenced the landscapes of his native Poland in a series of tables and vases, which are made from his signature combination of flowers suspended in resin.
Currently on display at London’s Carpenters Workshop Gallery, the pieces – collectively named Vas Florum: Resina Botanica – are made from organic matter encapsulated in resin, a continuation of Rusak’s previous projects.
Despite the familiarity of this material combination, the vessels and tables differ from Rusak’s previous work in that they are a homage to the rivers, meadows and forests of his home country.
“Working on the collection allowed me to reflect on my relationship with nature on a deeper level,” Rusak told Dezeen. “With time, I have found myself drawn to the untamed wilderness of nature, and I try to capture this impression in my new body of work.”
The Vas Florum vases have an irregular yet statuesque quality, decorated with an abundance of floral inclusions.
The blooms are densely packed within the translucent resin, creating a visual effect similar to still-life paintings.
“The baroque-like compositions offer a glimpse into the history and science behind flower cultivation, allowing viewers to study the beauty and significance of the selected species,” said Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
Rusak hand-selected different species of flowers for each object, including orchids, carnations, roses, tulips, asters, daisies and hydrangeas.
“The botanicals I use are mostly sourced as unsellable waste from befriended growers and sellers,” Rusak explained.
“However, I am also interested in sourcing plants specifically with a certain project in mind, studying local, vernacular flora that represents a particular ecosystem.”
For the bronze-framed tables, Rusak turned instead to weeds and lichens. Tinted dark green and rust-coloured, the resin used to form their surfaces mimics a flowing river with vegetation drifting just below the surface.
“The tables’ irregular shapes were informed by natural boulders found in the riverbed of the Solinka River in the Bieszczady Mountains Natural Park in Southern Poland,” said the gallery.
The vast, planar surfaces of the tabletops do not sit flush with the bronze edges – instead, the smoothly polished resin protrudes in a tactile manner.
“Vas Florum: Resina Botanica evokes Rusak’s focus on the colours, patterns and shapes found in the natural world, whether in the sleek surface of a stone in a mountain river, the abundant varieties of floral species, or the entanglements of roots and branches that captivate him in his beloved Polish forests,” said the gallery.
“The artist sublimates his impressions of these forms and textures into his works, translating their qualities into the porosity of sanded resin or the coolness of patinated cast bronze.”
Rusak is based in London, and his previous works include lighting, screens, sideboards, shelving and benches, all made from resin. His Flora Cabinet 190, on show at this year’s Milan design week, was one of Dezeen’s standout product launches from the festival.
Other resin furniture that has been featured on Dezeen includes Marco Campardo’s fibreglass resin Jello series and tables that look like carved soap by Niko Koronis.
The photography is by Benjamin Baccarani.
Vas Florum: Resina Botanica is on display at Carpenters Workshop Gallery from 22 May to 30 August 2025. For more information about events, exhibitions and talks, visit Dezeen Events Guide.
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