Inner Beauty series by Anne Brandhøj
Anne Brandhøj’s Inner Beauty series features three minimalist sculptures crafted from warm American cherry wood, each revealing hidden intricacies within solid forms. Each sculpture, shaped as a cuboidal column, surprises viewers with intricately carved interiors that reveal the organic beauty of wood. This unique series reflects Brandhøj’s fascination with the hidden complexity within tree trunks, as she captures the untouched, raw characteristics of her material in each piece.
A Danish furniture designer and maker, Brandhøj’s creative journey is rooted in a commitment to sustainable design and respect for natural materials. Her career took a pivotal turn during her studies at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, where she questioned the purpose of creating more objects in a world already saturated with material possessions.
Seeking a sustainable alternative, she turned to renewable resources, which led her to personally source her timber, often felling trees herself. This hands-on approach allowed Brandhøj to experience the material in its rawest form, highlighting natural imperfections, knots, and growth rings, which now define her work’s aesthetic.
Each sculpture in the Inner Beauty series embodies this ethos, with deep, smooth voids carved into the wood, inviting viewers to look within. The left sculpture features a wavy, undulating interior, introducing a rhythmic, fluid motion inside the column’s structured shape. The middle piece reveals three narrow vertical channels with a twisted, ribbed texture that mirrors natural elements like vines. The right sculpture offers an irregular, cloud-like cavity, softening the overall feel and creating a sense of organic, untouched beauty.
Working from her Copenhagen workshop, Brandhøj meticulously handcrafts each piece, allowing the wood’s unique history and natural qualities to shine. Her work blurs the boundary between functional design and sculpture, as each piece balances form and function while inviting physical engagement. Brandhøj encourages viewers to touch and feel the wood, exploring the tactile nature and individuality of each piece.
Brandhøj’s Inner Beauty series reflects a harmonious blend of minimalist design and natural intricacy. The clean, geometric exteriors contrast with the soft, organic interiors, capturing the rich grain and texture of the cherry wood. Through these sculptures, she not only showcases the aesthetic beauty of wood but also highlights the unseen, often overlooked qualities that lie beneath the surface, redefining modern sculpture and sustainable design.
Anne Brandhøj: https://annebrandhoej.dk/
