Manchester born, Los Angeles raised artist Joshua Abarbanel’s work makes me feel feelings inside – all kinds of happy feelings. The three-dimensional sculptures are made up of cut wooden forms that are meticulously laid out and layered to form reef-like compositions of complex marine wonderlands. The elements are stained in various tones creating depth just like you’ll see on the ocean floor.

MegaReef 01 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 18′ x 10′ x 11″ as configured here
This current body of work, entitled See Life: New Works by Joshua Abarbanel, is on display at the Hinge Parallel Gallery in Culver City, California through July 26, 2014.

MegaReef 01 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 18′ x 10′ x 11″ as configured here

Reef 04 \\\ Wood \\\ 8′ x 5′ x 8″ as configured here

Reef 04 detail \\\ Wood \\\ 8′ x 5′ x 8″ as configured here

Installation vew

White on Black Reef 01 \\\ Wood \\\ 36″ x 60″ x 5″ as configured here

Black on White Reef 01 \\\ Wood \\\ 36″ x 60″ x 5″ as configured here

See Through \\\ Wood \\\ 8″ x 8″ x 18″

Reef 05 \\\ Wood

Reef 06 \\\ Wood

Reef 07 \\\ Wood
Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.