Judy Kensley McKie
Thumbprint Cabinet, 1987
Material: carved and painted wood, milk paint
Carved signature and date to reverse ‘© JKM 1987’.
A rare example of Judy McKie’s early exploration of abstraction, the Thumbprint Cabinet stands apart from her more widely known animal forms. The carved surface, composed of rhythmic, hand-carved contour lines, evokes both the organic patterns of tree rings and the human fingerprint, tying together notions of nature and identity.
Additionally, as opposed to McKie’s works cast in multiples, the Thumbprint Cabinet stands as a unique piece with a distinct trace of the artist’s hand.
Created in 1987, this piece reflects McKie’s deep understanding of surface, material, and gesture. The form is architectural, almost totemic, yet remains grounded in its intimacy and craftsmanship.
Judy Kensley McKie (born 1944) is an American artist, furniture designer, and furniture maker. She has been making her signature style of furniture with carved and embellished animal and plant motifs since 1977. As a young person, McKie worked with her graphic designer father in his woodshop, helping to manufacturing pieces. She cites this work as early inspiration to make furniture.
| Dimensions | 23.75 × 12 × 86 in |
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| Style | |
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| Date | 1987 |
