Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition Explores Light and Form in Denmark
Thirty-six designers present experimental furniture at the historic Museum Ordrupgaard gallery.
1Exhibition Concept and Venue
The 2026 Cabinetmakers' Autumn Exhibition, known as Snedkernes Efterårsudstilling, is currently hosted at the Snøhetta-designed galleries of Museum Ordrupgaard. This venue, which houses significant 19th and 20th-century French and Danish art, provides the backdrop for 36 designers to explore the interplay between light, form, and material surfaces in contemporary furniture design.
2Historical Design Context
This annual event traces its roots back to the historic Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition, which operated from 1927 to 1966. That original series famously debuted iconic pieces like Børge Mogensen's Spanish Chair and Hans J. Wegner's Round Chair. The current iteration continues this legacy of innovation by inviting association members and select guests.
3Material and Form Experiments
Designers utilized diverse materials to challenge traditional perceptions of furniture. Notable contributions include an elm wood chair wrapped in a patterned wool rug by Karin Carlander and Christian Street, and a heavy bronze piece by Hans Sandgren Jakobsen designed to mimic the visual lightness of a woven chair, defying standard material expectations.
4Innovative Lighting Solutions
Lighting design serves as a central theme, exemplified by Karen Kjærgaard, Nanna Gram, and Peter Skrzipczyk’s 1.8-metre-high floor lamp resembling a giant candle holder. Additionally, guest designer Matteo Fogale collaborated with Astep to create ash wood lamps featuring rotating discs that function simultaneously as light sources and intuitive dimmer switches for users.
5Technical Craftsmanship Details
The exhibition highlights advanced production methods alongside traditional timber craft. Andreas Lund and cabinetmaker Søren Risvang Snedkeri developed an experimental table featuring slender pine rods connected by 3D-printed joints. Meanwhile, Claus Landry Bjerre incorporated 3D-milled replicas of scanned hazel branches into a pine cabinet, blending digital precision with organic, natural aesthetics.
6Ceramic and Metal Works
Ceramicist duo Claydies contributed a sculptural cube constructed from squashed ceramic vessels, showcasing a unique approach to furniture form. American designer August Ostrow presented a table light made from copper and paper, drawing direct inspiration from the folded metal structures found in industrial heating and ventilation machinery, highlighting unexpected functional beauty.
7Diverse Material Explorations
Beyond wood and ceramics, the exhibition features varied material applications. Carlo Volf presented a wire-frame lamp, while Zeyu Rong created a translucent screen with curvy profiles. Jonas Trampedach and Viola Heyn-Johnsen showcased a light installation formed from four triangular glass tubes, emphasizing how minor variations in light influence the perception of furniture.
8Event Schedule and Legacy
The exhibition remains open to the public at Museum Ordrupgaard in Charlottenlund from 23 October until 13 December 2026. By bridging the gap between impressionist painting techniques and modern furniture design, the show reinforces the association's role as a platform for over 80 designers, architects, and manufacturers to push creative boundaries.
Original article: Dezeen — Cabinetmakers’ Autumn Exhibition Explores Light and Form in Denmark