Throughout his 27-year career, Roy McMakin has produced a diverse range of work consisting of sculptures, drawings, photographs, and household curios.
Domestic Furniture
Lora Reynolds Gallery hosts an exhibition of furniture designed by Roy McMakin and fabricated by his Seattle-based workshop, Big Leaf Manufacturing.
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- 15 September 2014
- Austin
He has also expanded his creative practice to include interiors and architecture, designing houses and buildings. In all of his work McMakin has consistently explored ideas of home, comfort, love, and companionship.
In 2014, Roy McMakin partnered with Lora Reynolds to produce a single, tightly curated line of furniture. These pieces are intended for every day use and will only be available for a limited time. As the main line evolves, a group of secondary pieces will remain constant, serving as iconic forms and staple designs. These include McMakinʼs slatback chair, caudal stool, and sofa, pieces that have endured throughout the
artistʼs extensive career.
McMakin draws his inspiration from a wide variety of sources that include painting, film, estate sales, friendʼs homes, history books, and sometimes an inexplicable combination of culture, experience, and imagination. He is informed by both high and low culture. A chair in an Edward Hopper painting, and a chest of drawers seen in the background of a pornographic film, for example, have both served as the genesis for new works. At first glance the work feels traditional and familiar, but upon closer examination subtle details emerge.
A New White Chair from a Dark Old House appears to be a common Windsor chair, until one notices the legs, stiles, and rails are hand-turned and far from symmetrical – one of the spindles in the back of the chair is even upside-down. As with most of his work, a McMakin chair – with all its quirks and cheek – might resemble more closely a person than a chair. The detail of McMakinʼs objects engage with the viewer in a new, intellectual, and artistic way while still blending effortlessly into everyday life. Known for his fine craftsmanship, rich colors, lustrous finishes, quirky humor, and surprising, subversive details, his furniture and work continue to bridge the gap between art and design.
until Novembr 8, 2014
Domestic Furniture by Roy McMakin
Lora Reynolds Gallery
360 Nueces, Suite
50, Austin, Texas