Looks can be deceiving. If you were to glance at a photograph of Corey Best’s geometric metal sculptures, you would think that they were mammoth objects suitable for the courtyard of a museum or the lawn of a private mansion. But in fact, these modernist shapes are designed for the urban tabletop.

“The proportions work best for people living in cities,” says the artist, who has a studio at Inner Mission (formerly CELLspace) on Bryant Street. The Chico State graduate has been hooked on welding steel and aluminum since his college days; his MO is to show the beauty in imperfection. “Everything has a rhythm but will go off-kilter at some point,” he says. “It’s cool to be polished but also have a few scars.”

The Upper Haight resident also designs furniture: His bench made of salvaged Douglas fir and steel with a bronze patina caught the eye of HGTV and appeared on an episode of Curb Appeal in May. Look for a new series of colorful objets d’art in 2014.

Calling all Bay Area creatives: For a chance to be showcased in 7x7, submit your original art, photography, designs, and more to portfolio@7x7.com.

This article was published in 7x7's November issue. Click here to subscribe.