Bill and Saer were recently chosen to create new works for a juried exhibition at the annual conference of The Furniture Society.
The Furniture Society, along with Maine College of Art, will present “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” an exhibition of collaborative works in all mediums by pairs and/or groups of artists at different points in their careers, ranging from emerging to established artists.
Bill and Saer, members of the Furniture Society, were invited to submit an exhibition design proposal in January, which was chosen for the exhibit along with the proposals of 13 other pairs or groups of artists from all creative disciplines and from all parts of the country.
The design the team created for this exhibition is unlike anything ever done here at Huston & Company before. Entitled “Rivers”, the initial pieces include a console table, coffee table and end table.
The artists, Saer and Bill, explain the designs this way, “The Rivers Series evolved out of a desire to explore the inherent connection and interaction between furniture design and the unique grain patterns in wood. Using the naturally flowing lines of the wood grain, a pattern is carved into the surface. In one design the lines increase in depth, allowing the form to catch light and cast shadows, changing the appearance from different viewing angles. In another design the pattern is carved into the entire surface, creating texture and evoking emotion.
The table forms are classic, built with American hardwoods and precise joinery. But by allowing the surface designs to be created by the wood’s natural grain structure, there is a free-form spontaneity and creation from intuition that brings out tension, drama and surprise.”
Saer continues to create more of these designs in the workshop for other upcoming events. Because the wood grain is the essential element of design, each Rivers table will be unique.
The show, “Where are you going? Where have you been?” opens June 1, during Portland’s First Friday Artwalk, at the Lewis Gallery at the Portland Public Library, and will remain open through June 29.
The exhibit is a part of the annual conference of The Furniture Society, to be held at Maine College of Art from June 14-16. A reception for “Where are you going? Where have you been?” will be held on Friday, June 15, from 6-8pm.