April 8 – May 3, 2005

“Of Curves and Colours”

An exhibition of studio furniture

by

Ken Guenter

The body of work in “of curves and colours” has influences that are derived from the Palace of Versailles, the World Trade Centre, the artist Christo, and the ornamental grasses in my garden.  Influences on any body of work can be singular, but more often we draw them from our social and visual construct: cultural, political, and historical.  It is through a screen of these influences that I have been designing my furniture.

Historical precedents are revisited in my designs, not for reproduction or mimicry, but to uphold the integrity of form. Function is ever present in furniture design, but studio belongs in the gallery context. This context frees the artist to explore the aesthetics of new ideas and form, unconstrained by client needs andcraft traditions.

Ken Guenter

Bio
In 1980, after completing a four year apprenticeship at BCIT in benchwork and joinery,  Ken Guenter opened his Of the Woods Workshop in Victoria . Herev he has built a clientele across North America for his limited edition and one of a kind furniture. 1n 1993, he received a BA (with distinction) in History of Art. Since 2000, he has taught in the Fine Furniture programme at Victoria's Camosun College.

For more information on Ken Guenter and his work, you can visit his website at www.ofthewoodsfurniture.com

Click here to read Thelma Ruck Keene's monthly gallery review.