Posted
on January 24, 2017
Furniture
designer.
Woodworker.
“A
central figure in the postwar American crafts movement.” (New York Times)
There
are so many connections I feel to Sam Maloof, who was born on this
date in 1916. He was born in Chino, California, the city where I
currently live. He loved wood and woodworking, and my dad did, too,
even though my dad was just a hobbyist. Maloof was important in the
American crafts movement that earlier inspired the founding of the
California College of Arts and Crafts, now called California College
of the Arts – the college my daughter and son-in-law attended.
Maloof's compound (former home, workshop, museum, and foundation
office), which is about half an hour away from me by car, so thrilled
my parents that they went over and over again, taking me and my
family with them on two occasions. And, most of all, his passion –
furniture design and woodworking – is shared by my beloved
son-in-law, who started (with my daughter) a furniture company.
Sam
Maloof was born to Lebanese immigrants (his name was originally
spelled Maalouf). He learned Arabic and Spanish (from his family's
housekeeper) before he learned English. And he started woodworking as
a little kid – making a spatula for his mom and toys for himself
and his siblings. He was lucky enough to have a woodworking class at
his high school!
Maloof
served in the U.S. Army during World War II; he was deployed to
Alaska. Apparently the Allies expected heavy fighting with the
Japanese in Alaska, but that didn't happen.
After
the war, Maloof began making furniture, using salvaged materials. He
soon had commissions and eventually a thriving business. He moved
from Ontario, CA, to Alta Loma, CA, to a 6-room house. But over time,
he added 16 rooms to that house! It's fascinating to tour the place.
Maloof
is most famous for his chairs. They are considered austere (which
means very simple in design). They are also considered ergonomic
(well fit for the human body) and sculptural (artistic in their own
right, like a sculpture).
Also
on this date:
AND
Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day
Plan ahead:
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out my Pinterest pages on:
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