Thence By Descent

Location

Client

Thence By Descent
Seattle, Washington

Project Type

Editorial Photography and Brand Assets
A wooden, Nakashima conoid chair in front of the large rust-colored "Wake" sculpture made by Richard Serra. This image is part of a series photographed by architectural photographer Erik Sven in Seattle.

Location Scouting
Pre-Shoot Planning
Brand Alignment & Intent
Composition Planning for Text Placement

Editorial Photography
Supportive & Environmental Imagery

Retouching & Cleanup
Color Correction & Grading
Final File Delivery

Project Overview

This project was created for Thence By Descent, a Seattle-based consultancy and source for collectible furniture and objects, with a focus on works by George and Mira Nakashima. The photography brings Nakashima furniture into dialogue with the Pacific Northwest landscape, situating the work within its regional and historical context. The goal was to reflect how design, place, and philosophy intersect.

A photo of Richard Serra's "Wake" sculpture at the SAM Sculpture Park by Erik Sven.
An artistic, golden-hour image of a George Nakashima grass-seated chair and table set outside near Richard Serra's "Wake" at the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park.

The work centered on material, scale, and historical connection. Furniture was photographed alongside large-scale sculpture at Seattle Sculpture Park, drawing a parallel between objects shaped by human hands and forms shaped by time and exposure. Light was guided primarily through time of day and careful placement, allowing texture, shadow, and atmosphere to carry the narrative without overt intervention.

A George Nakashima table situated outside and photographed by Erik Sven during golden hour at the SAM Sculpture Park in Seattle.

Intent and Approach

The images unfold slowly, moving between object and environment. Nakashima pieces sit in quiet tension with monumental sculpture and open space, creating moments of stillness and reflection. The series invites viewers to explore the life of wooden objects from seed, to tree, to furniture, and how they weather over time.

Outcome

Blurred image of white daisies with yellow centers, green leaves, and stems in the background.
A Nakashima conoid chair situated next to Richard Serra's "Wake" sculpture at the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park. The image is part of a series by Erik Sven exploring the crossover between design, architecture and sculpture.
Three wooden Nakashima pieces arranged adjacent to Richard Serra's "Wake" at the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park. This image appears as part of Erik Sven's photo series exploring design, architecture and sculpture.

The imagery supports Thence By Descent’s website, marketing materials, and social channels, with potential for editorial and exhibition contexts. The project contributes to a broader body of ongoing work that explores the return of Nakashima furniture to the Pacific Northwest not just as design, but as living sculpture.

Client Perspective

“I’m in love with how this represents and introduces my company…. artistic, editorial, sculptural, Seattle… still on a high from the photoshoots and images.”

- Owner, Thence By Descent (furniture sourcing and consultancy), Seattle

A George Nakashima grass-seated chair sitting on gravel ground, positioned near one of the rust-colored metal walls of Richard Serra's "Wake" sculpture in Seattle. Photographed by Erik Sven as part of a series exploring design and sculpture.

Visual Experience

Yellow trees with fan-shaped leaves against a clear blue sky photographed by Erik Sven in Seattle.

Have a project in mind?

Let’s talk about what you’re creating.

Click here to collaborate