Intrepid Makers: Michael Hurwitz – FineWoodworking

Michael Hurwitz is a poet among furniture makers. He embraces the constraints of utility the way a poet might accept the structure of a sonnet. Without seeming to strain, he produces beautifully functional pieces that sing with self-expression. The language of his work, shorn of all cliché, derives power from clarity and compression: A couple of his silky curves elevate a piece; several more would overcomplicate it.

Hurwitz trained under Jere Osgood and Alphonse Mattia at Boston University’s Program In Artisanry in the late 1970s, and like many other extraordinary students in that program, Hurwitz went on to make exemplary furniture that helped write the definition of the term studio furniture; this was work that arrived with a distinctly personal presence. Making idiosyncratic furniture is a tricky business, however, and not too much other studio furniture has aged so beautifully as his.

Hurwitz’s creative process can be sparked by many stimuli. The catalyst for a piece might be a particular gesture—the base of his latticework Lantern cabinet was inspired by arms folded in repose. Or it might be a building—his arch-topped silver chest, elevated on a gridded base, sprang from a visit to a mountaintop temple in Japan. Or it might be another piece of furniture—his sublimely sinuous rocking chaise was a response to Samuel Gragg’s Elastic Chair of 1808.

A consummate craftsman, Hurwitz constantly explores techniques and materials—bringing Japanese latticework, mosaic-tiled surfaces, bamboo, Damascus steel, urushi lacquer, stone, silk, papyrus, and cast epoxy resin into various pieces. He has a lyrical way with lines and patterns, and an unerring ability to combine curves and planes, voids and solids, structure and detail so each is strengthened by the presence of the other.

Michael Hurwitz: Planks into Poetry

Philadelphia furniture maker Michael Hurwitz is one of the most talented designer/makers currently working. In this slide show he discusses a selection of pieces he’s made over the past thirty years.

Remarkable Mentors: Jere Osgood

While absorbing much from Frid’s instruction, Osgood remained true to his own vision, and over the years his furniture came to embody more experiments with form, structure, and joinery.

Museum Bench

Simple but not boring was the goal for this bench, which incorporates two tilted planes for the seat and wide, solid legs pierced with a keyhole slot at the center.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.

Compass

An essential tool for drawing circles and curves accurately. Also good for layout.

Dividers

Incredibly useful for laying out, setting equal distances, and comparing measurements, these are an essential tool for any furniture maker.