New Exhibition Celebrates Finn Juhl's Unparalleled Attention to Detail
House of Finn Juhl presents The Deviation is in the Detail – an exhibition exploring the subtle, unexpected details that elevate furniture from the purely functional to the artistic. Taking its title from one of Finn Juhl’s most celebrated quotes, the exhibition unfolds as a dialogue between iconic furniture design, modern art, and contemporary collaborations.
"The deviation is in the detail."
This is how Finn Juhl himself described the approach to design that made him one of the most influential figures in Danish design. The quote frames a new exhibition at House of Finn Juhl's showroom on Gothersgade, where historic works and new interpretations highlight design heritage, artistic inspiration, and meticulous craftsmanship.
Curated by the architectural duo Mentze Ottenstein, the exhibition unfolds as a spatial landscape of brick plinths and cherrywood room dividers, referencing Finn Juhl's own architectural thinking. Here, some of his most groundbreaking furniture pieces are presented alongside works by three iconic artists who played a central role in his creative universe.
Abstract Art as a Source of Inspiration
Finn Juhl once dreamed of becoming an art historian and was among the first Danish furniture designers to openly draw inspiration from modern art. While many of his contemporaries looked to traditional craftsmanship, he turned to the free forms and abstract visual language of art.
For this reason, works by Sonja Ferlov Mancoba, Vilhelm Lundstrøm, and Sigurjón Ólafsson form an integral part of the exhibition. All three artists were active in the 1940s, when Finn Juhl created some of his most pioneering designs, and their works were featured both in his exhibitions and in his private home. The sculptures, paintings, and reliefs highlight the close connection between art and design that shaped Finn Juhl's visual language.
The exhibition brings together a selection of Finn Juhl's most significant works, among them the Chieftain Sofa, the Pelican Chair, and the 45 Chair, each demonstrating his unconventional approach to furniture design.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
As a contemporary interpretation of Finn Juhl's universe, House of Finn Juhl also presents an exclusive collaboration with the New York-based fashion brand Sea New York. Under the creative direction of Monica Paolini, Sea has developed a series of embroidered textiles specifically for Finn Juhl’s minimalist Japan Series. The embroidered textiles add a new tactile dimension to the furniture and create a dialogue between furniture design, fashion, and craft – rooted in a shared fascination with craftsmanship, materiality, and attention to detail.
With The Deviation is in the Detail, House of Finn Juhl looks both back to the artistic movements that shaped one of Danish design's most important architects and forward to new interpretations of his legacy. The result is a sensory narrative of curiosity, craftsmanship, and the ability of detail to create something extraordinary.
The Deviation is in the Detail opened during this year's 3daysofdesign, but will remain on view until autumn, with a rotating selection of artworks continuously featured throughout the exhibition.
