"Free Verse" poetry in marquetry exhibition opens in the USA
Susan Bart, Bilbao, Spain. Dystopian Poppy, 2024. Assorted veneers, recycled plastic, aluminum, iron. 54.5” x 27.5” x 14”. $3,900
Free Verse, an international survey of contemporary marquetry is an exhibition of work by world makers that employs the traditional art of marquetry in a modern context.
The exhibition is on display at the Messler Gallery of the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, in Rockport, ME, from 24 January 24 to 2 April, 2025. Curated by James Macdonald of Burnham, the exhibition presents 21 pieces by 22 wood artists
from six countries.
Left to right: Patrice Lejeune,Los Angeles, CA. Sakura Cabinet, 2024. Oak, plywood, goat skin parchment, Macassar ebony veneer, dyed veneer, oil, wax. 71” x 23.5” x 15.75”. $9,500. Silas Kopf, Northampton, MA. Gone Fishin’, 2024. Bubinga, holly, assorted veneers, re-constituted stone, brass, copper, oil. 62” x 29” x 14”. $25,000. Brian Reid, Rockland, ME. Piho, 2025. Wild harvested oak, Brazilian rosewood, various veneers, end grain parquetry by Charlie - prisoner #11522 Maine State Prison. 60” x 14” x 13”. $3,200.
Marquetry is the art of assembling wood and veneers into decorative patterns or images, and the variety and remarkable craftsmanship on display ranges from stunning cabinets with intricate inlays to luminous wall hangings and pop-art inspired objets d’art.
“What compels us to concern ourselves with thin fragile slices of wood?” poses curator James Macdonald. “Sawing, cutting, carefully coaxing our chosen material into the voice of our artistic vision, we participate in this craft called marquetry. “Free Verse” will be a showing of the work of contemporary marquetry artists - some new, some who have made a career of the artful assemblage of veneers.”
Macdonald’s focus in selecting the exhibitors was to find those looking beyond tradition and using this craft as a means of personal creative expression. “Be free to push your boundaries,” he encouraged, “show us where you are or where you are heading. Help this be an exhibition not of rules, but of possibilities!”
Isaac Sintim, Accra, Ghana. Adinkra Okodee Mmowere, 2024. Wood veneer, oil based varnish. 18.5” x 14.5” x .75”. $600.
International exhibitors include Ryan Andrusky (Alberta, Canada), Susan Bart (Bilbao, Spain), Adrian Ferrazzutti (Ontario, Canada), Isaac Sintim (Accra, Ghana), Anne Lecorguillé (Plévenon-Cap Fréhel, France), and Toby Winteringham (Norfolk, England). Exhibitors from across the U.S. include Shannon Bowser (Brooklyn, NY), Paula Garbarino (Somerville, MA), collaborators Cindy Goldman and Spider Johnson (Austin, TX), Scott Grove (Canandaigua, NY), Sasha Kopf (Hadley, MA), Silas Kopf (Northampton, MA), Patrice Lejeune (Los Angeles, CA), James Macdonald (Burnham, ME), David J. Marks (Santa Rosa, CA), Jack Mauch (Spruce Pine, NC), Brian Reid (Rockland, ME), Paul Schürch (Laupahoehoe, HI), William Tunberg (Venice, CA), Chelsea Van Voorhis (New Orleans, LA), and Greg Zall (1957-2023).
Images courtesy Messler Gallery, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship
The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship is a nonprofit, year-round school that offers courses in furniture
making and related arts such as carving and woodturning. For more information see woodschool.org