Michael Hurwitz
Michael Hurwitz
Michael Hurwitz
Michael Hurwitz is a woodworking artist currently living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born in Miami, Florida, Hurwitz studied at Massachusetts College of Art from between 1974 and 1975 before earning a B.F.A. from Boston University ‘s Program in Artisanry in 1979. During his studies, Hurwitz learned from greats like Jere Osgood and Daniel Jackson, who mentored Hurwitz during his time as a student in the program.
About Michael Hurwitz
Hurwitz was awarded an artist-in-residence position in the Dominican Republic during his tenure as Head of the Wood Department at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts; it was during this 1985 program that he discovered a passion for primitive art. A 1988 trip to Japan would prove equally instrumental in Michael Hurwitz’s artistic vision, as he developed a keen understanding of and passion for Japanese architecture and art. These experiences, along with his academic training, deeply influenced his work and are evident in his ongoing exploration of materials and design elements.
- Born: Miami, FL
- Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
- Education: MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF ART, 1974-75; BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1979
Michael Hurwitz’s Vision
Michael Hurwitz is known for his mastery of woodworking techniques and his celebrated collection of studio craft furniture. Hurwitz explores the boundaries of each cut of wood, first carefully planning his projects through a series of studies, mock-ups, and experiments. He aims to be respectful of the materials, prioritizing physical and visual balance while continually innovating his technique to highlight the textures, colors, and other qualities of the wood.
One of Hurwitz’s key influences was an early nineteenth-century Boston side chair by Samuel Gragg, which he encountered in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, while preparing for his New American Furniture exhibition in 1989. This chair’s bentwood design inspired Hurwitz’s Rocking Chaise—a piece that blends Gragg’s light construction techniques with Hurwitz’s own artistic vision.
Michael Hurwitz believes that empathy is the basis of an excellent piece; he believes in empathizing with the material and creating a responsive union with full presence and commitment. His goal is to imbue each work with his own spirit while elevating the natural qualities and traits of the materials with which he works.
Hurwitz’s Woodwork
Michael Hurwitz’s work can be found in both public and private collections globally, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, MA, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Washington, DC, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.
One of Hurwitz’s standout creations, Rocking Chaise, sought to encapsulate the artist’s idea of a “magic carpet,” combining elements of a rocking chair and a chaise lounge. This piece features prominent raised dovetails at the base, which pay homage to the original Gragg chair’s slatted seat frame. The chevron patterns at the head of the chaise recall stylized trees or peacock feathers from the original design, yet Hurwitz notes that their primary purpose was to provide the piece with more mass. Today, Rocking Chaise is housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Material Experimentation and Innovation
Throughout his career, Hurwitz has experimented with materials beyond wood, including stone, raw Indian silk, slate, Damascus steel, papyrus, and salvaged glass. His surface treatments are also a major part of his innovation. For example, the artist has explored finishes such as milk paint, oil enamel mixed with marble dust for texture, gouache for saturated color, and cashew for a traditional Japanese lacquer look.
Awards and Distinctions
Michael Hurwitz has received numerous awards, including most recently the Award of Distinction from Furniture Society, Bangall, NY. Other awards include the 2021 Smithsonian Visionary Award , a 2019 Masters of the Medium award from James Renwick Alliance, and multiple other grants and awards including fellowships from the Massachusetts Endowment for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tiffany Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trust, the Japan Foundation, and the US-Japan Friendship Commission.
Hurwitz’s Current Endeavors
Michael Hurwitz is actively creating new pieces in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, expanding his body of work with new and innovative studio craft furniture pieces. His work is currently on display in “Beauty and the Unexpected,” a group exhibition at Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sources:
https://americanart.si.edu/artist/michael-hurwitz-5754
https://www.wexlergallery.com/secondary-artists/michael-hurwitz-secondary