Lifestyle Art

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NATURE TO FURNITURE

Bianca table

Arabesque table

Coming About table

Local sculptor Glen Guarino uses nature as his muse to create furniture pieces that are works of art.

By Michael Cagno

THE OAK

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Live thy Life,

Young and old,

Like yon oak,

Bright in spring,

Living gold; Summer-rich

Then; and then Autumn-changed Soberer-hued

Gold again. All his leaves

Fall’n at length, Look, he stands, Trunk and bough Naked strength. Glen Guarino in his woodshop

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For New Jersey furniture maker/designer Glen Guarino, nature has become his muse to create sculptural works rooted in the physical world. Wood is the symbolic essence of serenity and naturalness. Through space, material, and function, Glen’s furniture is a work of art. Like most people, walking in the woods can be a transformational experience. The sunlight pierces through the canopy as the squirrels rustle in the leaves. The fresh air cleanses the palette. Standing tall and righteous is a battalion of healthy trees. But it is the trees that lie on the ground that captures Glen’s imagination. Each piece represents a unique natural sculpture. It is here that Glen harvests the fallen. A tree can live for over one hundred years providing the earth with so much. Fallen and repurposed, the tree continues to illuminate its strength for a hundred more years. The afformentioned poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson immortalizes the tree.

Glen’s love for working with wood began at age nine while visiting his uncle in England where he watched him build a model sailboat. Upon returning home, Glen built a workbench in his parents’ basement and started working with simple tools and scrap wood. Over the years his skills improved, and he began to develop his own style. Glen put himself through undergraduate and later earned his Fine Arts Master’s degree in Studio Art from Kean University. Since 1978 Glen has designed and fabricated furniture in Cedar Grove, NJ.

Now, many years later, Glen’s furniture conveys a sense of the person behind the art: someone that loves the creative process through the inspiration of nature. Each new design is an adventure, exploring imagination and the potential of the material. During the process of cutting and shaping the parts to

Guarino’s woodshop

create a piece of furniture, he feels a true connection to the material.

The process of using a hand plane or a spokeshave watching each thin shaving peel away is extraordinary.

Glen’s hands-on approach allows him to let the simplicity of design reveal itself. Each piece imparts serenity and calm that reflects the tree’s grace. As the design becomes actual and tangible, he gets a sense of a tree evolving into a new life. Flower Mirror Revisited

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When asked if Glen considers himself an artist or craftsman, he responds, “This is an often discussed topic that many people find important. Before the industrial revolution, there was no question that furniture makers, silversmiths, and jewelers were all considered artists.” Therefore, he leaves it up to the individual to make the judgment. Glen feels when furniture is being used, it is furniture. When it is not being used, he considers his furniture art that enhances the room.

The steps involved in creating a commission piece is complex. The process begins with meeting a client at their location. By viewing their space, it offers an opportunity to get a sense of the client’s aesthetics. Often the clients have viewed his work in a show or on his website.

During the meeting, concepts are discussed, as well as a budget. After the meeting, Glen develops many idea sketches presenting five to six to the client for their input. Once a design is selected, they

Glen is concerned about the future of furniture making. “A maker must devout a life-time to develop many skills both as a craftsperson and as a designer/ artist.” As a maker, Glen strongly feels the need to educate the public of the many advantages of “bespoke furniture.”

agree on the type of wood, finish, and timeline.

Next in the process is making full-size drawing elevations, patterns “and selection of the material.” Then it’s onto milling the boards to fabricate the many parts, cutting joinery, fitting the parts, shaping, and gluing. Fine-tuning the sculptural aspects of the piece include sanding, finishing, installing hardware, and delivery. “I love the whole process because it is in the end a true collaboration between me and the clients,” says Glen.

But Glen is concerned about the future of furniture making. During the last 10 or so years, the industry has lost several icons of studio furniture makers. Many new people are making their mark, but not enough to develop a large enough following that can support makers. “A maker must devout a life-time to develop many skills both as a craftsperson and as a designer/artist.” It is costly to maintain a studio and equip it with machines and tools. The space must be large enough, which means overhead is expensive. As a maker, Glen strongly feels the need to educate the public of the many advantages of “bespoke furniture.”

Glen believes that young interior designers have not developed enough personal relationships with artisans. With the over-abundance of online discount stores, all too often they simply shop off the virtual shelf. In the past, the best interior designers had solid collaborations with makers. The relationship benefits both, the maker and the interior designer. “A room that showcases beautiful pieces of furniture and wall art makes a statement. My work is enhanced when it is placed in a well- designed room, which helps promote my work.” n

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