Studio Graeff
Objects for Modern Temples reflects the design philosophy of Studio Graeff. Exploring the relationship between matter, consciousness, and form, the studio approaches objects as thresholds between the physical and the symbolic. Its first series, Portal, presents furniture conceived as gateways into heightened presence and elemental form. Informed by the idea of contemporary altars, the pieces bring together art, mathematics, and ritual.
The Designer
Isabelle Graeff, born in Heidelberg in 1977, is a German artist and designer.
Graeff gained recognition with her series My Mother and I, a photographic project unfolding since 2002 that reflects on identity, closeness, and transformation. In her latest exhibition Matter & Mind (2022), a central element was a meditation circle inspired by ancient communal rituals, inviting visitors into a space of stillness and contemplation.
Working consistently with a cross-media approach, Graeff’s practice eventually expanded into the creation of design objects, leading to the founding of Studio Graeff in 2024.
"Objects for Modern Temples" is how one might describe the design philosophy of Studio Graeff. Exploring the interplay of matter, consciousness, and form, Isabelle approaches objects as thresholds between the spiritual and the physical.
She studied painting at the Düsseldorf Art Academy before continuing her studies in art and design at Central Saint Martins College in London. Her work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications such as ZEITmagazin, Monopol, and Süddeutsche Zeitung.