All Photo By Gail

Something  I love most about visiting New York’s galleries is discovering artists whose work challenges my expectations of what furniture can be. Is it something to sit on, or is it a sculpture? Sometimes the most interesting pieces refuse to choose. Such is the case with Balancing II (2023), a striking sculptural bench by Lebanese artist and designer Nayla Kai Saroufim, which appears to have a permanent home  at Emanuel Fremin Gallery in Chelsea.

Balancing II presents as glossy turquoise bench supported by only two points: a solid curved leg at one end and an oversized red donut-shaped form at the other. The visual tension makes you pause. Surely that colorful ring can’t be doing much of the work—but somehow it is. The title Balancing II suddenly feels perfectly appropriate.

Saroufim, who is based between Los Angeles and Beirut, creates sculptural works that explore balance, perception, and the relationship between form and function. Working primarily in resin, she transforms familiar geometric shapes into playful objects that appear to defy gravity while maintaining an elegant simplicity. Her work often embraces bold color and smooth, highly polished surfaces that make each piece feel simultaneously futuristic and inviting.

What I find particularly appealing about this piece is its sense of optimism. The vibrant turquoise and red palette feels candy-like, while the exaggerated proportions introduce an element of humor. The circular support resembles everything from a lifesaver candy to a glazed doughnut, giving the bench a lighthearted personality without sacrificing sophistication.

Although fully functional as seating, the bench is equally compelling as a work of contemporary sculpture. Viewed from different angles, the composition changes dramatically, emphasizing either the sweeping horizontal line of the seat or the unexpected geometry of its supports. It’s a piece that encourages viewers to walk around it rather than simply admire it from the front.

I’ve noticed that Fremin Gallery has displayed Balancing II for a few years now, and it’s easy to understand why. Some works lose their novelty after repeated viewings, but this bench continues enchant visitors. For me,  Balancing II isn’t just a bench — it’s a visual puzzle, an elegant balancing act, and a reminder that the best designers make the impossible look effortless.