South African designer Porky Hefer presents a collection of creature-like woven seating nooks as part of a solo show in New York.
Hung from the ceilings by ropes, the "nests" have cushioned interiors that create sheltered spaces for relaxing or sleeping.
Photograph by Rudi Geyser
"Each piece is meant to be inhabited like a hermit inhabits shells," said Hefer, who is represented by Cape Town's Southern Guild gallery.
The designs are all handmade in South Africa using local materials and craft techniques.
Photograph by Rudi Geyser
The majority are woven using flexible plants stalks that wrap around steel frames, while some are covered with leathery skins. Other elements, like dried grasses, fabric leaves and rattan panels, are added for extra decoration. Large openings in the rounded structures are used to clamber inside, but also create the impression of eyes and mouths, so the nests take on animalistic qualities.
Photograph by Rudi Geyser
This is similar to Hefer's earlier works that are based on different creatures, including a chair shaped like a killer whale that he exhibited at Design Miami 2015.
Under the alias Animal Farm, the designer has also previously created a similar woven nest that hangs from a tree, as well as a wooden light that can only be used with an energy-saving bulb.

His new pieces are currently on display in the Heart of Lightness exhibition, which opened yesterday at the R & Company gallery in Manhattan.
The name of the sho...