Vagujhelyi

est. 2022 Based in New York City, USA

Vagujhelyi is an interdisciplinary design studio, aiming to transfigure the relationship between the object and its holder. The studio operates at the intersection of tradition and innovation, drawing on a lineage shaped by resilience and cultural inheritance. The name VAGUJHELYI reflects a deliberate act of preservation, an anchoring of Hungarian identity within a new world context. This foundation informs a practice rooted in discipline, tension, and composure.

Diego Villarreal Vagujhelyi is the designer and creative director of Vagujhelyi, founded in 2022. His debut work, the 20lb solid stainless-steel weights, premiered with Sized Studio at Frieze New York in 2022.

Born in Madrid, Spain, Villarreal was immersed in a culturally rich environment that continues to inform his artistic language. He began his career in fashion as both a model and photographer, developing a precise visual sensibility. Expanding beyond the still image, he transitioned into sculpture and printmaking, mediums enabling a more direct exploration of material and form.

Villarreal’s practice continues to explore the expressive potential of metal, primarily bronze and stainless steel, advancing a language of ergonomic and ritualistic form.

Process

Diego molds the clay by hand. The molten bronze is poured into the mold cavity; next, it cools and solidifies. The refractory mold is then broken away to reveal the bronze casting. Spurs are cut off, and the final bronze piece undergoes various processes such as cleaning, grinding, and polishing.

The final step is realizing Diego’s creative vision through his choice of color. He then begins the process of burning pigment into the bronze pieces, known as patina process, followed by further polishing and refinement to achieve the desired color tones, bringing the final piece to life.

“Metal does not forgive, it records a decision.”

Diego Villarreal Vagujhelyi