Steven Spiro Biography
Artist's Statement
Each piece of furniture I make is a segment of a constantly moving stream of energy. This is often represented on the surface of the piece as an inlaid line of variegated color segments. I call this the “lifeline”, as in the palm of the hand. It flows like water through each piece, just as wood is a carrier of water.
Surfaces often evoke map-like symbolism. These are maps of the dreamscape. You may find a compass image, cycling moons for sky and passage of time, or a fossil to remind us of our distant, buried past. Often, seven directions are evoked: north, south, east, west, sky, earth, and eternity. Planets, galaxies, moons, and clouds balance geologic, subterranean, river, and desert imagery.
Sensual, organic forms are complemented by inlaid geometric images. Homage is paid to the tree itself, to historical furniture forms, to the interplay of natural and worked surfaces.
A horizontal surface is often “ground”, “underground”, “undersea”, or “map”. Vertical forms may be growing forms, human or animal forms, trees, or architectural references. Many pieces are composed of elements which are able to stand alone as small sculptures, yet bear a strong relationship to other pieces and to the whole.
Trees are, after all a combination of earth, sun, water, starlight, clouds, and a myriad of other distinct elements. If one can see a cloud in a tree, why not a dreamscape in a table?
In addition to the symbolic and spiritual, each piece also has a deeply sensual quality. As the spirit dwells with the body, the abstract artwork actually functions! We eat at the table; sit on the bench; write at the desk. There is a holistic nature to this work. It is expressionistic and down-to-earth at the same time, inviting interaction at all levels.
I am not a particularly talented person. I am one who happens to have devoted three decades to making furniture in ways which are satisfying to me, personally. This has resulted in a wide vocabulary of forms, which I am continually delighted to use. My work is simply enjoyable for me. I am very grateful to have been privileged to follow this path. I give deep thanks to my clients, who encourage me, and enable me to continue my calling.
Steven Spiro Dec. 2003
Resume
Background
Studio: Hill Point, WI
Born: Ft. Collins, Colorado, 1949
Education:
B.A. and Advanced Studies in Creative Arts, San Francisco State University, 1974 (Summa Cum Laude). Teaching Credential, 1975.
Further studies in Furniture Making with Art Carpenter (Espenet), Bolinas, CA.
Since, self-taught.
COLLECTIONS: (Selected List)
H.H. The Dalai Lama; Sir Anthony Hopkins Collection, Larry Hagman Collection, Diane Ladd, Dean Oliver Collection, San Diego; Tassajara Zen Center, California; Deer Park Buddhist Center, Wisconsin; Wustum Museum, Racine, Wisconsin; Quaker Oats, Inc., Johnson Wax, Prairie School, Racine, Wisconsin; Sara Paretsky Collection, Fabrile Gallery; Chattanooga Art Museum, Tennessee; Richard Gray & Esther Saks, Chicago, IL; Armbruster Mfg., Springfield, Illinois; Ron and Debra Isaacson, Evanston, Illinois; MILA, Inc., Chicago; The Schlitz Collection, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Toni and Bill Sikes, The Tai-Chi Center; Marshall Erdman, Inc., Anchor Investments, Don and Nancy Eiler, Davis Mfg. Co., Ben and Judy Sidran, "Gates of Heaven Temple," Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin; A.S. Brown Development Co., Detroit, Michigan; Piper, Jaffrey & Hopwood, Sam & Lisa Grabarski, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Judy Youen Gallery, Houston, Texas; Processor Technology Corporation, Berkeley, California; Howard Russeck, Philadelphia, Sauk Prairie Performing Arts Center, Wisconsin.
JURIED ART SHOWS: (Selected List)
American Craft Museum, Crafts at the Armory, New York City; The Smithsonian; Philadelphia Craft Museum ; American Craft Council, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Atlanta; Lakefront Arts, Milwaukee Art Center; Midwest Crafts , Chicago; American Craft Exposition, Evanston, Illinois; Washington Crafts Expo; Philadelphia Furniture Show; Port Clinton Art Exhibition, Chicago; "One of a Kind" Merchandise Mart, Chicago.
Many awards resulted from these art shows.
EXHIBITIONS: (Selected List)
• 2005 Primavera Gallery, Ojai, California, Solo Show
• 2004 Primavera Gallery, Ojai, California, Solo Show
• 2004 Creations Gallery, Wilmington, Delaware
• 2004 Natalie Paul Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
• 2004 Group Show, Aspen, Colorado
• 2003 Objects Gallery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Solo Show
• 2003 Jura Silverman Gallery, Wisconsin
• 2002 Woodson Art Museum, Wisconsin, "The Chair"
• 2002 The Furniture Society Exhibition, Madison, Wisconsin
• 2002 ZaZen Gallery, Wisconsin
• 2002 La Crosse Art Museum, Wisconsin
• 2001 ZaZen Gallery, Wisconsin; Gallery 37, Chicago; Northern Possessions Gallery, Chicago
• 2001 "Tevet to Av", University of Wisconsin, Madison
• 2000 Following Sea Gallery, Honolulu, Hawaii
• 2000 Primavera Gallery, Ojai, California
• 1999 ZaZen Gallery, Wisconsin
• 1998 American Craftsman Gallery , New York City
• 1998 Russeck Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 1995 American Craftsman Gallery, New York City, Solo Show
• 1995 Fiterman Gallery, Minneapolis,International Chair Show
• 1995 S.O.F.A., Miami, Florida
• 1994 Helander Gallery-Palm Beach, Florida
• 1994 Crossman Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• 1993 Design & Exhibition, Stockton, New Jersey
• 1993 National Furniture Exhibition XII, American Crafts Gallery
• 1992 Solo Show, Colucci Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin
• 1991 Group Show, Hokin-Kaufman Gallery, IL; Solo Show, Wisconsin Academy Gallery, Madison; Group Show, Abacus Gallery, Maine
• 1990 Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, Connecticut; J.M. Kohler Art Center of Sheboygan Sculpture Exhibition, "Pull Up a Chair," Meredith Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland; Furniture/Sculpture, Joy Emery Gallery, Grosse Point, MI. Group Exhibition: American Craft Gallery, Florida; Barbara Breit Gallery, Norfolk, Virginia
• 1989 "Furniture Redefined," Art & Architectural Design Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland. "Furniture & Fibers," A. Houberbachen Gallery, Milwaukee
• 1988 "Art Trek," Art Association of Minneapolis; Sculpture Invitational, Lesch Galleries, Minneapolis; "American Crafts in The New Age," Milwaukee Art Museum; "Wisconsin Crafts Masters," Wustum Museum, Racine
• 1987 Kohler Art Center; Valperine Gallery, Madison, Wisconsin (Group Show); "American Contemporary Works in Wood-National," Athens, Ohio; Herron Gallery of Art, National Furniture Show, Indianapolis; Milwaukee Art Museum, "Chairs" (Group Show); Solo Exhibition - St. Norbert College Gallery, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• 1986 Group Shows: Seuferer-Chosey Gallery, Madison; Wustum Museum, Racine; 222 Gallery, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Duo Exhibition: "New Visions" Gallery, Marshfield Clinic, Wisconsin
• 1985 "Master Woodworkers," "Summer Whites," Esther Saks Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
• 1984 Invitational, Craftsmens' Gallery, Scarsdale, NY; Solo Show, Alverno College, Milwaukee; "Decorative "Arts," Madison Art Center, Wisconsin
• 1983 "Art and Utility," University of Wisconsin, Madison; "Wisconsin Wood," Wustum Museum
• 1982 Invitational, Craftsmen's Gallery, Scarsdale, NY; Solo Show, Alverno College, Milwaukee; "Decorative Arts," Madison Art Center, Wisconsin
• 1981 "Out of the Woods," Waterloo Art Center; "Tactile Images," Elvehjem Museum of Art, Madison, Wisconsin; "Art from the Jewish Community," University of Wisconsin, Madison
• 1980 "Wisconsin Wood," JM Kohler Art Center; "Spring Show" & "Fall Show," Wisconsin Gallery of Milwaukee Art Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• 1979 "President's Invitational," Madison Art Center; "Duluth-Superior Biennial," Duluth, Minnesota
• 1977 JM Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
• 2005 Lecturer, Rural Arts Coalition
• 2003 Juror, American Craft Council
• 2003 Juror, Amdur Productions, Chicago
• 2003 Artist Advisory Board, American Craft Council
• 2002 Consultant, North Shore Art League, IL
• 2000 Mentor Artist, American Craft Council
• 2000 Guest Lecturer, Taliesin Foundation, WI
• 2000 Board of Directors, Sustainable Woods Co-op, WI
• 1999 Visiting Artist, Wisconsin Public Schools
• 1999 Juror, American Craft Council
• 1999 Meyer Foundation Artist Grant, Wisconsin
• 1998 Awards Judge, Spring Green, Wisconsin, Art Festival
• 1997 Juror, SGAF
• 1994 Artist Committee Member, American Craft Council
• 1993 Juror, American Crafts Council
• 1992 Visiting Lecturer, Green Bay Public Schools
• 1992 Visiting Lecturer, West High School, Madison, WI
• 1991 Visiting Lecturer, Philadelphia Craft Show
• 1991 Visiting Lecturer, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 1988-90 Milwaukee Art Museum Advisory Board
• 1985-86 Instructor, Madison Area Technical College, Furniture Making
• 1983/78 Visiting Artist, Prairie School, Racine, WI
• 1982 Visiting Lecturer, Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI
• 1982 Visiting Lecturer, Madison Art Center
• 1977 Wisconsin Arts Board Grant to an Artist
• 1975 Teacher/Curriculum Developer: Woodworking for Children, Bay Area Schools, California
• 1971 Began work in wood
ARTICLES PUBLISHED:
• Fine Woodworking Magazine, 1995
• Fine Homebuilding Magazine, 1988
FEATURED IN: (Selected)
American Craft, 1999, 2004
Chicago Tribune, 2000, 2001, 2004
Santa Barbara Magazine, 2004
Ojai Valley News, 2004
Art Annual, 2003, 2004, 2005
North Shore Magazine, 2002, 2003
Home News, 1997, 1995 & 1999
NY Daily News, 1994
Washington Post, 1993
Avenue, New York City, Sept.,1992
Wall Street Journal, July 1992
Wisconsin State Journal, October 1991
Capital Times, Oct. 1991
Philadelphia Enquirer, Nov. 1991
Ambient (German), May 1991
Wood + Wood Products, May 1991
Spotlight Magazine, Nov. 1990
North Shore Magazine, 1990
Country Living, Apr.1990
Matter Magazine, Sept.1990
The Detroit News, Nov.1990
The Baltimore Sun, Nov.1990
American Craft Magazine, Dec.1990
Chicago Tribune, Jan.1990
Amer. Craft Expo 1989
New York Times, June 1989
Washington Home, Feb.1989
New Haven Register, Dec.1989
Amer. Crafts Council, "Handmade in the USA," 1988
NY Daily News, 1988
Milwaukee Journal, 1982/86
Wisconsin State Journal, 1982/84/85
Chicago Tribune, 1985
Fine Woodworking, 1983
Fine Woodworking Design Book, 1979
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