Christopher Kurtz | Orchards

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ ORCHARDS

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ (A)TYPICAL WINDSOR 2004 STEAM-BENT ASH, WHITE OAK, PINE AND MILK PAINT H 40” X L 52” X D 22” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST. PHOTOGRAPH BY KIRSTIE TWEED.

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ | ARTIST STATEMENT 2015 “Orchards marks the first public presentation of my two practices as sculptor and studio furniture maker, and the dynamic relationship between them. Both sculpture and furniture design happen equally in my studio. I'm consistently designing new collections of functional furniture and making sculpture simultaneously. This exhibit draws the connections of how the two are integral to one another and how they cross-pollinate under the same roof of my studio.

The image of Orchards is full of poetic, and metaphoric analogies, a lens that is useful to view this work which spans over 10 years of making. As a touchstone to underscore this theme, I've chosen to include an early reproduction piece that I made in 2003: a 19th century "Birdcage Windsor" chair. The Windsor Chair began as an object of fascination and study early in my woodworking career. This chair seems to contain an encyclopedia of information. Knowledge that encompasses good design, complex woodworking techniques from carving, to steam bending, lathe turning, to structural building, engineering and ergonomics. Within the making of this piece I found the potential to generate endless forms.

As an artist I've chosen to limit my medium mostly to wood and traditional building techniques. By narrowing my focus in this way my work has been able to evolve through this kind of restraint. Working within set limitations and traditions has been a tool for endless expressive possibility."

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ ACT TOGETHER 2012 CEDAR ROOT, HAND-CARVED CEDAR, MAPLE AND MILK PAINT H 80” X L 23” X D 62” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ QUARTER ROUND ARMCHAIR 2010 FEATURED IN BLEACHED OAK FINISH AVAILABLE IN OTHER WOODS & FINISHES H 30” X L 21” X D 18.5” X SH 18.5” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ GINKGO CONSOLE 2015 REDWOOD H 30.5” X L 48” X D 14” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ EIGHTS 2008 BENT, LAMINATED AND PAINTED WOOD H 33” X L 16” X D 0.5” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ: ORCHARDS INSTALLATION VIEW COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ QUARTER ROUND BAR STOOL 2009 WALNUT AVAILABLE IN OTHER WOODS & FINISHES H 30” X L 14.5“ X D 15.5” X SH 25” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ MILKING STOOL 2010 BLACK WALNUT WITH WAX FINISH AVAILABLE IN OTHER WOODS & FINISHES H 12” X L 10.5“ X D 10.5“ COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ: ORCHARDS INSTALLATION VIEW COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ BLACK KITE 2013 HAND-CARVED BASSWOOD WITH BURNISHED GRAPHITE H 18” X L 24” X D 13” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ QUARTER ROUND COUNTER STOOL 2009 EBONIZED WALNUT AVAILABLE IN OTHER WOODS & FINISHES H 32” X L 14.5“ X D 14.5” X SH 23.75” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ UNTITLED (ALLONGE) 2014 PATINATED BRONZE H 87” X L 36“ X D 21” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ UNTITLED (MANY STARS) 2013 EBONIZED PEAR WOOD H 60” X L 8” X D 12” COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ SINGULARITY 2013 HAND-CARVED BASSWOOD AND MILK PAINT H 81” X L 144” X D 36-” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY PHOTOGRAPH BY KIRSTIE TWEED

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ WOOD STOOL 2013 EBONIZED REDWOOD, WALNUT & BRASS AVAILABLE IN OTHER WOODS & FINISHES H 32” X L 18“ X D 22” X SH 24” COURTESY OF HEDGE GALLERY

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ BARRED SPIRAL 2008 HAND-CARVED MAPLE, CEDAR AND MILK PAINT H 36” X L 24“ X D 16” COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

CHRISTOPHER KURTZ: ORCHARDS INSTALLATION VIEW COURTESY OF BELGER CRANE YARD GALLERY

BELGER CRANE YA R D GALLERY 2 0 1 1 T R A C Y AV E N U E | K A N S A S C I T Y MISSOURI | 64108 | 8 1 6 . 4 74 . 7 3 1 6

DETAIL OF MILKING STOOL COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.