James Moore

Artist Statement

       My latest body of work is a “celebration of the discarded”. I design and build furniture
with both reclaimed lumber and unusual, non-furniture grades of wood. My pieces also
have, as a focal point, antique tools, machine parts, and other scrapped objects.
        As a designer builder I follow various theories of the original English and European
Arts and Crafts movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The use of
hand tools is prevalent in my work and I have a direct connection with the materials. I have
found materials in dumpsters, through online auctions like “e bay”, and at flea markets.

Reclaim Reuse Refine

       In my course as an artist I have developed an affinity for the discarded and
“useless”. I see myself as a “Savior of Trash”. In this time of increasingly limited resources
and culture of one time use, I feel as if I have some responsibility in giving new life to the
objects I find. The materials in my furniture have had previous lives as framing for houses,
woodworking tools, and industrial parts.
        As a religious reuser I employ quite refined methods of furniture making. All of my
furniture has traditional joinery techniques, I often mill my own veneers, and I generally
bookmatch all panels. These refined techniques prevent the pieces from looking like
“shabby chic”.

Influences and Training

       In addition to the Arts and Crafts movement I am greatly influenced by the Studio
Furniture movement of the mid-twentieth century. Designers such as George Nakashima,
Hans Wegner, and James Krenov all have design theories to which I relate. Clean lines,
traditional joinery techniques, and a celebration of the materials used are all aspects of the
Studio Furniture movement that I try to emulate.
       I also have had the privilege and pleasure to be trained by one of the great furniture
makers of the turn of this century, Michael Hurwitz, whom I respect and admire. I worked for
Michael for five years during the late nineties. His design process and incredibly
complicated building methods have been inspirational.

Future Focus

       Some ideas I have for future pieces include elements of Art Deco as inspiration.
I am interested in the dichotomy of using lesser materials to design very sophisticated,
delicate, and refined pieces of furniture. I will continue to believe in a sow’s ear to a silk purse
philosophy of furniture design.