Developed for Atelier Bowy C.D., part of Henzel Studio, this work by Adam Court forms part of The Atelier Editions program—an ongoing series of limited textile works created in collaboration with artists, architects and designers. The piece is introduced in the context of Milan Design Week 2026 at Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, within the historic spaces of Le Cavallerizze.
Drawing on music, identity and the symbolism of the punk-era studded bracelet, Court translates a motif associated with personal expression into sculptural textile form. What originally exists as a small object worn on the body is expanded into a larger spatial composition—its circular structure unfolding across the surface of the rug.
The design centers around a ring-like formation, where angular structures radiate outward from a central void. These sharp, faceted forms echo the geometry of metal studs, transforming a cultural symbol of rebellion into a tactile field of texture and relief. Lines converge and disperse across the surface, creating a dynamic tension between density and openness.
Variations in pile height form a layered topography. Fine carved lines produce intricate textures across the surrounding surface, while darker areas with lower pile create contrasting zones of visual weight. The composition moves between areas of detailed linear carving and broader open fields, allowing the surface to shift between graphic clarity and atmospheric depth.
Through these material contrasts, the rug begins to operate as both drawing and terrain. The carved lines function almost like etched marks across a landscape, while the sculpted relief produces subtle elevations and recesses that interact with light and shadow.
Court’s broader practice often explores how objects carry personal and cultural references while remaining materially grounded. Based in Cape Town, he works across furniture, interiors and objects, developing a language that balances sculptural clarity with tactile richness. His work reflects a wide range of influences—from music and fashion to cinema and contemporary culture—while maintaining a strong connection to craft and material experimentation.
For this collaboration with Atelier Bowy C.D. / Henzel Studio, those sensibilities are translated into the medium of hand-knotted textiles. The rug becomes a site where personal symbolism, graphic structure and sculptural surface converge.
Within the framework of The Atelier Editions, the work expands the possibilities of textile design by approaching the rug as a three-dimensional composition rather than a flat decorative surface. Relief, line and material variation combine to create a piece that reads simultaneously as object, drawing and landscape.
Installed within the historic architecture of Le Cavallerizze during Milan Design Week, the work brings a language of self-expression and cultural reference into the exhibition space — transforming a symbol once worn on the wrist into a sculptural textile environment.
