"Contemporary Art Furniture: Sam Maloof, John Cederquist, Wendy Maruyama"
2001-03-03 until 2001-06-10
ASU Art Museum
Tempe, AZ, USA

This exhibition will present the work of three contemporary furniture makers - Sam Maloof, John Cederquist and Wendy Maruyama - who work in widely varying styles. Each has had significant impact on the field and continues to do so. Maloof creates functional furniture with uncluttered design, rhythm and flow. Cederquist's works combine elements of historic furniture with illusionistic effects of tromp l'oeil (fool the eye) surface painting, references to art history, and humor. Maruyama's work combines training in traditional techniques with a commitment to sculpture shapes, painted surfaces and expressive content.

Sam Maloof (b.1916) started making furniture immediately after World War II, when there was little demand for the handmade object. His functional work appears deceptively simple with its uncluttered design, unassuming and natural qualities, and its exceptional technical mastery.

John Cederquist (b. 1946) references historic furniture in his work but freely interprets traditional forms with illusionistic effects of trompe l'oeil surface painting, references to art history and humor.

Wendy Maruyama (b.1952) discovered woodworking in the late 1960s, when craft programs were expanding throughout the country. Her work combines training in traditional techniques with a commitment to sculptural shapes, painted surfaces and expressive content.

IMAGE:
John Cederquist
Conservation Chest 1, 1997
mixed media
courtesy of Mitchell Berliner Collection.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Arizona

Other Important Exhibitions in Tempe