Episode 62 - The Master Series: Wharton Esherick

About this episode

This episode explores the life and work of Wharton Esherick, a pivotal figure in the Studio Furniture Movement, featuring insights from Julie Siglin, the Executive Director of his museum.

In today's episode of the Master Series, we discuss the visionary American artist and furniture designer Wharton Esherick, celebrated as the father of the Studio Furniture Movement. Esherick believed furniture and sculpture were one and the same — that a chair, a table, or a staircase could be as emotionally resonant as any painting or bronze. His most iconic pieces pulse with organic, twisting forms drawn from nature, none more famous than his breathtaking spiral staircase, hand-carved from red oak, which stopped the world at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Did you know he started as a painter and only discovered wood by accident, carving frames for his own canvases? Did you know his entire home and studio on Valley Forge Mountain was itself a 40-year work of art — every door, cabinet, and light pull shaped by his own hands — now a National Historic Landmark and Museum??? Speaking of which, our special guest today is the Executive Director of his museum, Julie Siglin! To watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO of this episode and the irreverent & somewhat unpredictable AFTERSHOW, subscribe to our Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/user?u=91688467 To browse the Gorilla Glue…

People in this episode

Host: Woodworking is Bullsh*t

Guest: Julie Siglin

Topics covered

• Wharton Esherick
• Studio Furniture Movement
• furniture design
• art and sculpture
• organic forms

Keywords

• Wharton Esherick
• furniture design
• Studio Furniture Movement
• organic forms
• 1939 World's Fair

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gorilla Glue

Books & works: spiral staircase

Places: Valley Forge Mountain

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