My work in wood crafts is an outgrowth of studying both architecture at the University of Cincinnati, and Fine Arts at Silvermine College of Art. While studying design, I became enthusiastic about making objects of wood, and chose wood as my crafts medium. About twenty-years ago, wood crafts appealed to me as a practical and creative way to make a living. However, it took working several years at another job before this goal was realized. Although I have created furniture in wood, the current focus of my work is on both wood vessels and wood sculpture.

I am challenged by the many possibilities of what a vessel might be. Currently, I am creating pieces which range from geometrically patterned bandsawn vessels, to more natural vessels which are hand carved from a single log. The use of bandsaw, laminating, hand carving and disc sanding techniques allow me to project three dimensional forms, namely wood vessels, directly from flat lumber. From an ecological perspective, this conservative use of a natural resource is very satisfying, as it is the essence of economy. Many of these vessels are one of a kind pieces in which I explore various relationships in form, pattern, color and texture.

My sculptural work in wood ranges from abstract carvings, to organic sculptural constructions. One of these styles of architectural construction draws inspiration from ancient cultures such as the Incans and from nature itself. These works range in style from elegant simplicity, to more complex statements which display an intriguing relationship between space and mass.

STUDY:
University of Cincinnati (Architecture) 1966-1969
R.I.S.D. (Sculpture) Summer Program 1969
Silvermine College of Art (Sculpture) 1969-1970

Recent Exhibitions :

Philadelphia Furniture Show, Philadelphia, PA, May 1997, 1999
Celebration of Sierra Woods: Objects of Art and Utility, Nevada City, CA, Fall 1997
Collectors of Wood Art, Wood Forum, San Francisco, CA, Fall, 1998
W.D.O. Gallery, Charlotte, N.C., - 3 Person Exhibition, May 1999 & May 2003
S.O.F.A. N.Y.C. Exhibition, May 1999 - Represented by; Sandra Collins Gallery
Forms in Wood Exhibition, Sept. - Nov. 1999, at the Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA
USA Craft Today '99, Sept. - Oct. 1999, at the Silvermine Guild Art Center, New Canaan, CT
Fall 1999 White House Collection Exhibition at Zazen Gallery, Poali, WI, Sept/Oct 1999, 2000
Living with Form - The Horn Collection of Contemporary Crafts - Arkansas Art Center, Feb-April 2000
Diversity and Exploration: New Forms in Wood - R. Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, April 2001
Yale Collects Wood: Gifts from the Collection of John and Robyn Horn - Yale Art Gallery, Sept/Dec 2002
Artists Respond - American Craft Museum, N.Y.C., Sept 2002
"Vessels, Boxes and Baskets"- Function + Art, Oct 2003

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS:
The Mint Museum - Charlotte, N.C.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Div. of American Crafts)
The White House Collection of American Crafts
Yale University
Minneapolis Institute of Arts

PUBLICATIONS - BOOKS
The White House Collection of American Crafts
by Michael W. Monroe, et al (Hardcover - April 1995)

QUESTION? - Ask the Gallery