Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Misha Kahn likes to tell stories through the shapes and colors of his creations. In his New York studio, this young designer, who earned a BFA in furniture design in 2011 from the Rhode Island School of Design, conceives and imagines pieces akin to modern sculpture.
Employing several processes ranging from molding to sculpture, welding and weaving, which he then combines with imaginative and unique modes of production, Misha Kahn is described by design technologist John Maeda as a creator of works destined for a wonderland that pushes boundaries to make way for a grand celebration.
His creative process is complex, beginning with a hand-drawn sketch, followed by a clay sculpture, and then a watercolor painting. Sometimes, Misha Kahn even travels across continents to meet artisans who can help him develop his ideas.
Today, the artist with a free-thinking approach is represented by Friedman Benda, a gallery that fosters dialogue between leading thinkers and creators by creating opportunities to establish new connections within the global design community.
At Design Miami/Basel last June, Misha Kahn presented several creations, including two pieces that play with light, color, shape, and space. The first is a sofa, first produced in 2020, called "Mole Eats Worm," made from sculpted steel forms enveloped by interlocking cushions upholstered in mohair. This work was created in collaboration with the Italian upholsterer Tappezzerie Druetta, inviting a touch of magic to join the symbiosis resulting from this skillful artistic blend. The piece is available in several shapes and colors. The second creation is the table "Something in the Water," which invites closer inspection to discover the details of a play of depth and balance created by painted plastic, giving it a finish that strangely resembles ceramic.
The artist has also exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art, the Walker Art Center, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. His works are also part of the permanent collections of numerous museums and public collections, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Corning Museum of Glass.
Over the years, Misha Kahn has established himself as one of the leading creative voices of his generation.
Thomas Durin
