Anghel Dust

A devotion to woodwork became full-time for self-taught designer Mircea Anghel, who channelled his mathematical background into compositions that defy the laws of engineering. As he opens up his Portuguese studio to the public this summer, we glimpse the objects that arose from the shavings

By Svetlana Nartey

Photography by Francisco Nogueira

23 June 2023

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Within the bewitching estate of Herdade da Barrosinha in Portugal lies a 1,500-square-metre sawmill that is home to Romanian artist-designer Mircea Anghel’s studio. One of many scattered around the Alentejo region, Mircea’s mill is encircled by the Sado river; its shimmering waters, weaving their way through the staggered hills, ripe vineyards and rice mills of the landscape, are visible from the studio’s windows. It is here that Mircea’s passion for woodwork was nurtured by the local boatbuilding community, as he sought to support them and coexist within their agrarian lifestyle.

Previously based in Lisbon, Mircea saw this relocation bring him closer to nature. Easier access to raw resources also lifted the quality of his compositions. Wood, whether salvaged from demolition sites or the forest after harsh storms, takes centre stage in his works. Its grain and delicate fibres are preserved through the craftsman’s combination of age-old woodworking techniques and experimental processes.

Large industrial windows flood the studio with natural light and allow guests to marvel at the natural landscape that surrounds it

These processes, together with the importance of equilibrium, lie at the heart of Mircea’s philosophy and reflect the scientific underpinnings of his work. Born in Bucharest, the self-taught designer only moved to Portugal in 2001 to study economics at the University of Lisbon, before embarking on a career in finance that coexisted with his passion for woodworking. And then Mircea decided to make it his full-time occupation, founding Cabana Studio. The unpredictability and daring in the architecture of his designs draw on this mathematical background, skewing perception and form to bring to life singular pieces that are immediately captivating.

‘I tend to reflect on a particular piece of wood for months or even years, contemplating its form and trying to uncover its hidden beauty and aesthetic. Through my craftsmanship, I reveal the object trapped within,’ says Mircea

Mircea Anghel’s white Pico table is deceptively suspended out of balance. Photograph: Zé Maria Leitão de Sousa

As Mircea now opens his studio to the public, we admire the gravity-defying designs that distinguish his style. The exhibition will feature several such pieces, including the monumental Pestele and Pico tables, which harmoniously slot together two contrasting elements. Novel works in copper and tables formed from wood and stone will also be unveiled. Rooted in the same mathematical formulas, tables such as the Asymmetric Democracy ostensibly seem unbalanced, yet a closer look reveals their calm equipoise.

Hotel da Barrosinha

The broader area around the estate includes the village of Barrosinha, its hotel and guesthouses, a winery, a tavern, and the chapels Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Senhor das Chagas. Full of authenticity and history, the land was the cradle of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, from which emerged a strong sense of community, still felt today

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Taking centre stage in the exhibition, the designer’s Democracy table is also sure to spark dinner-time conversation. Comprising a white marble ball base and a round top crafted in burnt Albizia ferruginea wood, the piece tilts according to the interaction of its users and explores the dynamics between people by bringing movement to an otherwise static object.

But wait! We cannot forget the true star of the show, a monumental installation that will stretch along an entire workshop wall. Composed from wood offcuts, the wall-mounted structure will serve as a reminder of the raw material that made Mircea’s pieces possible; its intertwined geometrical shapes slot together to create an ever-growing presence.

Wood lies at the core of Mircea’s works

The exhibition runs at Herdade da Barrosinha – Serração Mecânica 7580-514 Alcácer do Sal, Portugal, 1 July–31 Aug 2023. Visits are by appointment only. Email info@cabana.studio