New York-based designer Eny Lee Parker has joined Dezeen Awards 2023 as a judge. Here, she selects five projects that best reflect her work.
Parker specialises in objects, furniture, and lighting. The São Paulo native of Korean descent describes her work as "contemporary objects that bring awareness to our presence".
"I draw inspiration from traditional craft techniques. I emphasise the slowness, intention, and respect for natural resources in my work," Parker told Dezeen.
"I also find it important to share my process with my clients and the audience, as I believe this helps us connect with the work and our studio," she continued.
"Ultimately, my core ethos is to create meaningful and lasting pieces that bring joy, comfort, and a deeper connection to our environment into people's lives."
Parker among Dezeen Awards 2023 judges
Dezeen Awards 2023, in partnership with Bentley Motors, is open for entries. On Tuesday we announced more Dezeen Awards judges, including Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay of Raw Edges, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg of Yabu Pushelberg, designer Lani Adeoye, Jane Abernethy of Humanscale and architectural designer Sumele Adelana.
Submit your project before the entry deadline on Thursday 1 June. Click here for more information.
Read on to find Parker's views on the five projects that best represent her work:
Oo Lamp, 2020
"The Oo Lamp, which I unveiled at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in 2018, has become the signature piece of our studio. This table lamp features extending arms that hold two sources of light, which at the time seemed unusual.
"Since its debut, the Oo Lamp has received widespread recognition and has also been selected for use in a number of exciting projects, helping to fuel the growth of our studio!"
Twist Column Light, 2021
"The Twist Column Light, which we created for Objective Gallery and debuted at Design Miami in 2021, is one of my personal favourites.
"I envisioned an architectural light that would make a bold statement in any space, and my team did an incredible job bringing that vision to life.
"The light is made up of three parts that interlock, with a simple yet impactful shape that commands attention."
Sexy for Objective Gallery, 2022
"In 2022, I curated a show called 'Sexy' for Objective Gallery's New York location.
"While I didn't have any pieces featured in the exhibition, it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work of some incredibly talented artists and bring people together in a playful and enjoyable way.
"I'm proud of the sense of community we've built around our studio and this show was a perfect example of that."
Cloud9 Chair, 2019
"The cloud-inspired furniture series that I've been working on since 2021 has been a really exciting and rewarding project.
"It all started with the Cloud 9 chair, which I made for a show by [creative practice] Playlab, INC in Los Angeles. This chair was a combination of wood, installation foam, fibreglass, and plaster.
"From there, I've created an upholstered armchair version that debuted in Milan for design week in 2022, curated by Daniel Arsham and StockX.
"We recently made cloud stools for a group show with Hypebeast, curated by Hypeart's managing editor Keith Estiler.
"Currently, I'm working on a daybed version for NeoCon, as part of a show with Haworth, led by Patricia Urquiola."
Collection with Lulu and Georgia, 2023
"I recently launched a 22-piece collection with Lulu and Georgia. It was a two-year labour of love, and I'm incredibly proud of the result.
"One of my main goals for this collection was to make it accessible and affordable, with a democratic price point that would allow more people to enjoy my designs.
"The collection was created with the idea of hosting gatherings and includes everything from a comfy sectional to dinner plates and glasses, a bar cart and dining chairs.
"Each piece is designed to enhance the experience of community and entertainment. I’m excited to see how people use them in their own homes!"
Dezeen Awards 2023
Dezeen Awards celebrates the world's best architecture, interiors and design. Now in its sixth year, it has become the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The annual awards are in partnership with Bentley Motors, as part of a wider collaboration that will see the brand work with Dezeen to support and inspire the next generation of design talent.