peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair

a painting on plywood is cut apart and reassembled as a chair, exploring the transition from artwork to functional object.

Eitil Thorén edited by christina vergopoulou September 21, 2026 3 min

Motspråk turns a plywood painting into a chair

Motspråk by PEYTIL and lead designer Eitil Arbenz Thorén is a painting on plywood that has been cut apart and reassembled as a chair, exploring the transition from artwork to functional object. Developed during Thorén’s studies at Konstfack in Stockholm in September 2026, the project uses plywood for its layered construction and its relative ease of cutting and reshaping.

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 1 — all images ©PEYTIL – Eitil Arbenz Thorén

Spruce grain and knots become part of the painting

The plywood surface also becomes part of the painting itself. Knots and irregularities in the spruce appear as small bodily marks, scars, or eyes, influencing the development of the composition. Instead of treating the material as a neutral surface, the project allows its grain, layers, and natural irregularities to contribute to the visual character of the work.

The process combines an initial artistic concept by designer Eitil Arbenz Thorén with the physical properties of the material and the context of the project. The plywood is shaped and reorganized through cutting and assembly, allowing the characteristics of the spruce to inform both the painted surface and the final chair.

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 2 — Motspråk begins as a painting made on plywood

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 3 — the plywood painting is cut apart and reassembled as a chair

motsprak-peytil-eitil-arbenz-thoren-painting-plywood-chair-designboom-1800-3 — knots in the wood appear as small bodily marks within the composition

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 4 — Motspråk combines painting with the construction of functional furniture

motsprak-peytil-eitil-arbenz-thoren-painting-plywood-chair-designboom-1800-2 — plywood provides both the painted surface and the chair’s material structure

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 5 — layers of plywood contribute to the chair’s final construction

peytil cuts plywood painting apart and rebuilds it as chair - 6 — the plywood is reshaped through cutting and assembly

motsprak-peytil-eitil-arbenz-thoren-painting-plywood-chair-designboom-1800-4 — PEYTIL develops the work during studies at Konstfack in Stockholm

project info:

name: Motspråk
designer: PEYTIL – Eitil Arbenz Thorén | @peytil

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. See more project submissions from our readers here.