Geoffrey Warner Studio Profile

Geoffrey Warner
I feel fortunate having studied furniture design at the Rhode Island School of Design under the talented Danish master and teacher, the late Tage Frid. He taught me to design with practicality, build with integrity and work with efficiency, but most importantly, not to compromise beauty.

Having passed through many design phases and completing hundreds of pieces, I have mastered a high level of skill in conceptualizing and solving design problems. My early work drew from arts and crafts, Japanese, Danish and Art Nouveau influences. Today I look at my work as functional sculpture, where nature can be a strong influence. Interplay between curved and straight lines and negative and positive spaces are frequently incorporated. I like to engage people's senses while they interact with my furniture. The inside of a jewelry cabinet may be built with Spanish cedar for its wonderful aroma, the edge of a table top, or the surface of a pull carved to engage the sense of touch. Exposed dovetails or wedged tenons can be applied to create rhythm and to educate one on how a piece of furniture is constructed. A beautiful highly figured or colorful board can be enough to carry success into a commission, which, having been designed with simplicity, allows the reverence of the wood to speak on its own without distraction.
Tage Frid

Canopyless Chest of Drawers Detail
After 25 years of interpreting customer needs I have refined the design and construction process to be accurate, efficient, and economical.


I draw from traditional joinery techniques when practical. My end goal is to create quality craftsmanship in unique and beautiful ways. My furniture and cabinetry will endure for proud and satisfied customers to pass on to their children and grandchildren.

Experience
CommissionsA partial list includes:
2002-2003
Designed, built, and moved into new studio/shop/gallery in Stonington, Maine.
Designed and built furniture and cabinetry for the Post residence on Cape Rosier, Maine (A Robert W. Knight designed house)
2002
Designed and built dining table for Cassatt-Osgood residence, Brooksville, Maine
1988-2004
Completed dozens of furniture and cabinetry commissions for customers throughout the United States, including tables, chairs, desks, lamps, entertainment centers, stained glass doors, beds, kitchens, and a tree house.
1996
Built new fine woodworking shop on Deer Isle, Maine.
Moved to Maine.
1993-1994
Commissioned by Clodagh Design International to develop, design and build furniture and fixtures for Dana Buchaman stores and showrooms in New York City.
1993
Designed seating for Charlotte, Inc. Belding, MI.
Designed and built furniture for Felissimo, New York City.
1992-1993
Designed and built a contemporary post and beam home for my family on Deer Isle, Maine.
1990-1991
Designed and built a variety of furniture commissions, including permanent pieces for the new Aidekman Art Center at Tufts University, MA.
1990
Designed and built permanent furniture for Merrin Gallery on Fifth Ave., New York City.
1984-1988
Commissioned by Louise Fitting Associates, Inc. to design and build furniture for installations at two Trump Tower condominiums in New York City.
Designed and built furniture, cabinetry, and circular stairs for other Trump Tower Condominiums.
1987
Commissioned by Pawling Properties Associates to design and build furniture for new Ziff family estates in Pawling, NY.
1984
Assisted John Dunigan in preparing furniture for show at Gallery Henoch in New York City.
1982-1983
Commissioned by various clients to design and build furniture, including furniture for the office of the Dean of Architecture and planning at M.I.T., MA - bookcases, file cabinets, receptionist's desk, conference table, and writing desk.

Galleries

My work has been represented by the following galleries:
Pemetic Gallery, Mount Desert Isle, ME
Blue Heron Gallery, Deer Isle, ME
Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland, ME
Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston, MA
Sansar, Washington, DC
Pritam and Eames, East Hampton, NY
Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY

Shows

A partial list includes:
2005
The Wood Show, The Center For Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
2005
Water, The Center For Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
2004
The Maine Woodworkers Association, Group Show at Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockland, ME
2004
Group Show at Deer Isle Artists Association, Deer Isle, ME
2002
Solo show at the Pemetic Gallery, Northeast Harbor, ME
Maine Coast Artists, Rockland, ME
2001
Group Show at Deer Isle Artists Association, Deer Isle, ME
1990
Benchmark: Furniture for the Nineties, Gallery Fair, Mendocino, CA
1989
Contemporary Furniture Expressions, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, CT
1988
Lighting and Screens, Sansar, Washington, DC
Delaware Art Museum, DE
Joint Ventures, Workbench Gallery, NY
1987
New Art Forms Exhibit, Chicago, IL
1986
Celebration of American Crafts, Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT
1984
Art of the Rhode Island Designer Craftsman, Newport Art Museum, RI

Publications
1999
This Old House
1996
Country Living
1995
American Bungalow
Home Furniture
1993
Interiors
Style Watch of Colonial Homes
Rhode Island Magazine
1991
Architectural Digest, "AD at Large"
1990
WLNE 6 News, "We Love New England"
1989
American Craft Magazine, Portfolio
1988
Woodshop News
Fine Woodworking
American Craft Magazine
1987
New York Times
American Craft Magazine
1986
American Craft Magazine
Metropolis

Awards And Competitions
1986
Artists Society, International Nomination
1987
Artists Liaison, Santa Monica, CA
Galleries Elect, Los Angeles, CA

Teaching
1988-2004
Mentor of apprentices in my shop
1996
Lectured at Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockland, ME

Education
1983-1984
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence,RI
   Major: Furniture Design
   Studied under: Tage Frid - Furniture Design
1972-1975
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence,RI
   Major: Photography
   Studied under: Harry Callahan


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GEOFFREY WARNER STUDIO......... 207.367.6555 ...........
43 N MAIN ST. (RT 15)...... PO BOX 710..............STONINGTON .....MAINE ...04681