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Sam Maloof, Woodworker
What if Picasso had been a chair maker and Stravinsky a designer of tables? What would have been the impact of such intense creative talent on twentieth-century furniture? Today there is a man with this quality of profound artistic vision and talent who has devoted his life to making
furniture. His name is Sam Maloof, and this book is his life and work told in his own words.
Sam Maloof started making furniture immediately after World War II, when there was very little demand for hand-made objects. His perseverance through 'years of difficulty is a testament to the depth of his love for wood and for working with it. Since childhood, Sam has also been in love with
technique and has constantly developed his precise sense of form and design. These three loves-of wood, of making things, and of designbrought him to the world of furniture and eventually to an honored place among America's leading artistcraftsmen.
As with true great art, everything Sam Maloof makes seems simple. His furniture has a clear rhythm and flow, a bright vitality that eludes analysis. All his furniture is chairs are comfortable; tables, while sculptural, are still tables to be used; desks are custom-designed to meet the
needs of each user. Though Maloof furniture designs are all intensely his own, they remain unassuming and natural. His work has the calm, sure quality that comes from technical mastery combined with a creative joy in finding ways to let wood speak. A first encounter with a piece of Maloof furniture
is like meeting a friend from the past-the warmth of relationship is immediate and delightful. This warmth never pales.
The qualities of his work are mirrored in the artist. Sam is open, direct, and gracious. He projects a feeling of affable dignity and goodwill, and he works with the ease and clarity seen in his furniture. Work for him is not drudgery. It is a renewal, an affirmation.
He and his wife, Alfreda, live in a meandering house that nestles in a lemon orchard at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, near San Bernardino, California. Sam has been building and expanding the house for thirty years. It unfolds as a series of surprises, from Sam's workshop at one end to the
new guestroom at the other. Every room contains the ceramics, woodwork, textiles, baskets, Pictures, and other beautiful things that nourish the Maloofs and give them pleasure.
Sam Maloof's technical mastery of woodworking is coupled with mature, strongly personal artistic expression. He has set a standard for his craft in North America and the world. Future generations of craftsmen will see him as one of the major artistic lights of this century.
furniture. His name is Sam Maloof, and this book is his life and work told in his own words.
Sam Maloof started making furniture immediately after World War II, when there was very little demand for hand-made objects. His perseverance through 'years of difficulty is a testament to the depth of his love for wood and for working with it. Since childhood, Sam has also been in love with
technique and has constantly developed his precise sense of form and design. These three loves-of wood, of making things, and of designbrought him to the world of furniture and eventually to an honored place among America's leading artistcraftsmen.
As with true great art, everything Sam Maloof makes seems simple. His furniture has a clear rhythm and flow, a bright vitality that eludes analysis. All his furniture is chairs are comfortable; tables, while sculptural, are still tables to be used; desks are custom-designed to meet the
needs of each user. Though Maloof furniture designs are all intensely his own, they remain unassuming and natural. His work has the calm, sure quality that comes from technical mastery combined with a creative joy in finding ways to let wood speak. A first encounter with a piece of Maloof furniture
is like meeting a friend from the past-the warmth of relationship is immediate and delightful. This warmth never pales.
The qualities of his work are mirrored in the artist. Sam is open, direct, and gracious. He projects a feeling of affable dignity and goodwill, and he works with the ease and clarity seen in his furniture. Work for him is not drudgery. It is a renewal, an affirmation.
He and his wife, Alfreda, live in a meandering house that nestles in a lemon orchard at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, near San Bernardino, California. Sam has been building and expanding the house for thirty years. It unfolds as a series of surprises, from Sam's workshop at one end to the
new guestroom at the other. Every room contains the ceramics, woodwork, textiles, baskets, Pictures, and other beautiful things that nourish the Maloofs and give them pleasure.
Sam Maloof's technical mastery of woodworking is coupled with mature, strongly personal artistic expression. He has set a standard for his craft in North America and the world. Future generations of craftsmen will see him as one of the major artistic lights of this century.
228 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 23, 2010
If you've ever been curious about just how the late Maloof went about making his furniture, then this book--part manual, part autobiography--is a must read. I appreciated hearing Maloof's views on the woodworking craft and his stories about hard-won triumphs over mistakes. He is either a very stubborn man or a very determined one--it's hard to tell from reading this book. But what does come through again and again is his passion for his work and his family. It was an educational read as well as uplifting.
May 30, 2014
This is fascinatingly educational - am loving such a different book. Keep putting it down for a real read but love the descriptive passages about the love of the craft..
Well, didn't actually finish it - left it at a meeting- hope someone else enjoys it as I had had enough. Woodwork- not really my thing....
Well, didn't actually finish it - left it at a meeting- hope someone else enjoys it as I had had enough. Woodwork- not really my thing....
April 30, 2013
Did you ever want to reach out to touch and feel a handcrafted wood object?
The photographs of his work will make you want to do that.
We will miss Sam!
The photographs of his work will make you want to do that.
We will miss Sam!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews