John Procario, Standing Freeform V, USA

Artist and furniture designer John Procario shapes ribbons of wood to create elegant one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures that are characterized by provocative, organic forms. 

The son of a carpenter, Procario developed a love of woodworking and design young, while growing up around his father’s woodshop. He earned his BFA in sculpture at Purchase College, State University of New York, and the designer’s unconventional contemporary style evolved while he was enrolled in graduate school. Procario works with LEDs and micro-laminated woods such as white oak or ash to create expressive light sculptures that are guaranteed to make a statement in a living room or foyer. 

Over the years — with series such as Freeform and Crevasse — Procario has garnered acclaim from designers and critics alike, building demand for his work. For the former collection, which is named for the “freeform bending” that is part of the design process, Procario spent months purposely splitting and breaking wood using his hands or with the help of a hydraulic press in order to understand the limits of the material. He has earned commissions for commercial and residential installations, including for a large-scale work that now adorns the lobby of the Nelson Tower in New York City.

Procario’s designs have been featured in the New York Times, Architectural Digest and Interior Design magazine. In 2018, Procario was invited to contribute to a multi-artist installation at the Glass House, a groundbreaking icon of the modernist movement that was designed by Philip Johnson. New York City’s Todd Merrill Studio has represented Procario since 2016.

Find John Procario pendants, wall lights and other furniture on 1stDibs.