Artist research - George Nakashima

George Nakashima was a master woodworker who believed in natural beauty of the wood through in his design. During studying architecture in the United States, George Nakashima learned Japanese carpentry. His early works showed the pure and natural character of wood. He focused on simple lines and couture to showed details natural wood.

In his memoir The Soul of a Tree: A Master Woodworker’s Reflections, Nakashima wrote: “There is drama in the opening of a log to uncover for the first time the beauty in the bole, or trunk, of a tree hidden for centuries, waiting to be given this second life.”(Uprimny, 2021).

Tsuitate Butterfly Gate, 2011

Butterfly Gate is made from a maple burl root with a walnut base

But  most of Nakashima’s works were unique and also his new technique which inspire me make my second 3D project is using butterfly joints. When I first saw it I really liked it looks very unusual he made asymmetrical pieces of wood and turns them into creative table. This technique involves cutting a V- shaped groove with two pieces of wood and fitting them together with a butterfly- shape key. It is not only to help kept together wood but also make a unique design. Butterfly Gate is made from a maple burl root with a walnut base (Roberts, 2012)

                               

Made of English claro walnut and American black walnut, this rare Odakyu table George Nakashima completed in 1984

This unique table showcases Nakashima's mastery work with wood, made from a single piece of natural table wood. He leaving its edges and again using technique butterfly joins to fix cracks. In my project I use the too, single piece of wood which was broken, but I did not change. Moreover, I leave it shape its looks more interesting. I was so inspire Nakashima's work and a lot of his techniques I use in my project.

Reference 

Uprimny, Andres. “George Nakashima and His Philosophy.” The Reclaimed Flooring Company, 11 Feb. 2021, www.reclaimedflooringco.com/george-nakashima-and-his-philosophy/.


M. ROBERTS, LINDSEY . George Nakashima and the Roots of Live-Edge Furniture. 24 Oct. 2012.