Philippe Weisbecker and the simple beauty of furniture

Discover his delicate drawings of Adirondack furniture

Philippe Weisbecker is a distinguished artist and illustrator known for his intricate and contemplative works. This series of diptychs, produced exclusively with the Wrong Shop, is inspired by Philippe's 2017 book 'Adirondacks', which is co-published with Nieves and Fotokino. It showcases Philippe's unique approach to drawing furniture. The origin of this series traces back to a serendipitous gift: a different book on Adirondack furniture given to Philippe by a friend who worked in a hardware store in New York two decades ago.

“I’ve always loved rustic furniture, made from stumps, branches, or pieces of wood,” he explains. “Initially, I wanted to faithfully reproduce the furniture in the book. Very quickly, I realised that I was especially interested in the skeleton of these pieces of furniture, their structures, and the vectors of force that govern them.”

This transition from detailed reproduction to abstract representation is a hallmark of Weisbecker's style. Each piece in the 'Adirondack' series is a testament to his ability to distil complex structures into elegant, minimalist forms. The diptychs feature neat, ruled lines intersecting to form the legs and angles of furniture, showcasing their three-dimensional forms with a simplicity that bridges figuration and abstraction.

Philippe Weisbecker, ADIRONDACK 9, DIPTYCH – EDITION

Philippe’s creative journey has seen many phases. Born in Dakar in 1942, he began his studies in Paris at l'École des Arts Décoratifs, the national school of decorative arts. After that, he left for Tunisia for two years to work in graphics until 1968, when he moved to New York. He says that he planned to move there for three months but stayed for 25 years, working as a draftsman at an architectural firm before transitioning to illustration. His editorial work for prominent publications such as The New York Times, Time Magazine, Forbes, and The New Yorker gained him international recognition. By the late 1990s, he shifted focus to his own artistic projects, which have been exhibited in galleries worldwide.

A fascination with woodworking is evident in his own art objects, and stems from his childhood, of which he says: "When I was nine years old, I went to stay with my aunt and uncle for a year in the countryside in the east of France. They were wood merchants. I was delighted to see the woodworking and steam engines because it's not at all like that anymore. This time has resurfaced later, in my illustration work."

Philippe Weisbecker, ADIRONDACK 15, DIPTYCH – EDITION

In the 'Adirondack' series, each drawing is delicately made with coloured pencil and reveals his meticulous process. The sketchbook look allows the viewer to see through layers, and offers an intimate glimpse into his corrections and the evolution of his ideas. He often works in volumes or vintage notebooks, as well as found, old, or refurbished papers, and brings his drawings back to their greatest graphic simplicity.

Admired and widely published in Japan, he also has a large following in the US. Philippe's works continue to captivate audiences, and the artist continues to explore the boundaries of his practice today. Watch him in his studio in Paris, courtesy of Toshiaki Miyamoto for MUJI:

The 'Adirondack' series by Philippe Weisbecker is more than just a collection of drawings; it is an exploration of form, structure, and simplicity. These limited edition prints provide a unique opportunity to own a piece of the artists contemplative and refined work. Browse his edition prints for the Wrong Shop here.