Artisan House Metal Art Sculptures Spark Excitement at LVM
Burbank, CA — In answer to ongoing speculation about the product introductions that Artisan House, Inc. – designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor, tabletop and now table – will reveal at this summer’s Las Vegas Market, president John Shilling has officially confirmed a total of eight new metal art sculpture designs will take center stage this July at the company’s Vegas-based showroom.
Items will include three table sculptures, four wall art designs and one freestanding sculpture.
The firm’s venture into table art sculptures is a decidedly unexpected detour, says Shilling. Since he began directing operations at Artisan House in 2001, the company has remained “firmly focused on designing striking metal art sculptures.”
Although many customers have asked the firm to create shelves and other furniture pieces, Shilling says that Artisan House’s “goal is not to compete with the many talented furniture manufacturers that exhibit at the Las Vegas and High Point markets, but to craft pieces that are true works of art.”
A Triple Play of Table Tableaus
Upon entering the Artisan House showroom, the attention of show attendees will be captured by a trio of cool-toned, contemporary-themed metal table art sculptures designed by Shawn Coffey, the firm’s head artist. Made of brushed stainless steel, designs include the “Cubicle” and “High Voltage” coffee tables and “Free Flow” sofa table.
Artisan House’s very first tables premiered in 1975, in a furniture collection called “California Nouveau,” Shilling says. However, he adds, the tables that graced Artisan House catalog pages until the mid 1990s were more about function than form.
“Our newest tables are eye-catching art masterworks, first and foremost. Their multifunctional designs become apparent when they are topped with pieces of rectangular glass that let them do double duty as fanciful pieces of furniture,” he said.
For added versatility, the glass can be removed from the “Cubicle” and “High Voltage” coffee table bases, allowing them to be turned 90 degrees and repurposed as striking, freestanding contemporary artwork. Each rectangular tempered glass tabletop is 3/8″ thick and has a 3/8″ bevel.
The design of the “Cubicle” coffee table mirrors that of the firm’s popular C. Jere Studio wall art sculpture entitled ‘Inclusion’ Coffey says. “I literally ‘took the design off the wall’ and reconfigured it into a multifunctional piece of metal art.”
A bold and masculine creation, the “High Voltage” coffee table “radiates energy and makes the perfect statement piece in a room setting,” Coffey says. He cleverly designed this piece with deeper cuts that can serve as impromptu magazine racks. What’s more, the table’s base can be flipped 180 degrees to achieve a different look.
Four C. Jere Studio Wall Art Sculptures Debut on the Vegas “Stage” The Artisan House metal wall art sculptures to be showcased in Las Vegas include “This Summer,” “Cross Current,” “The Odd Cup” and “Countdown.”
“This Summer” is the follow-up piece to the exceptionally popular “Last Summer” flip flop wall sculpture introduced in Spring 2008. Coffey created a “family” of flip flops – new, brightly colored and ready for the summer season.
“I wanted it to look like a mother, father and son just got to their beach house and kicked off their flip flops at the door,” he explains. Crafted of mild steel, each piece is entirely air brushed with colorful shades of acrylic paint.
After a three-year hiatus, acclaimed California metal artist Alan First has produced “Cross Current,” a contemporary, cool and abstract design that allows the piece’s varying elements to flow in different directions while remaining interconnected. Reminiscent of a 1920s motif, this item is made of ground steel with colored metal tinting.
“The Odd Cup” is Coffey’s four-piece rendition of silhouette clip art that features three white coffee cups and a single black one. “I made this design just so people would ask, ‘Why did you paint one black?'” Coffey laughingly says. Crafted of mild steel with an acrylic finish.
Take a stroll back to childhood with “Countdown,” a unique and fun piece that is perfect for children’s rooms, medical and dental offices, and more. Infused with bold colors, each number is crafted of hammered steel for a convex shape. Made of mild steel and hammered steel with acrylic paint.
Fabulous and Freestanding: “Ring Toss”
Standing an impressive 4 feet tall, “Ring Toss” is a freestanding sculpture crafted of cold-rolled steel with multi-layered acrylic paint shaded in vibrant hues. The item can be placed indoors or out.
“The rainbow of colors in the piece and the way the circles fit into one another remind me of walking into the library and seeing 20 different books on the return shelf, all stacked at different angles,” Coffey says. “Ring Toss” was designed to be displayed on the ground, the floor or on a tabletop.
For Fall 2008, Artisan House will introduce 45 new pieces at High Point. Items will include two freestanding sculptures that will create the perfect atmosphere for indoor or outdoor display. In addition, Artisan House will premier the first two wall sculptures designed for the firm by a talented New York metal sculptor renowned for his ability to create contemporary two-dimensional designs with an intriguing three-dimensional appearance. Based on customer response and feedback, Artisan House may also expand its collection of table art sculpture.
Artisan House pieces are sold in home furnishing stores, art stores, outdoor furniture stores, and at billiards, pool and spa retailers. Commercial customers include major department stores like Nordstrom, restaurants, bars, hotels and casinos.
The firm’s permanent showrooms are located in High Point (IHFC Design Center, Space D208) and Las Vegas (World Market Center, Space A-300). Artisan House has also exhibited at the Tokyo Furniture Market; Interiors Birmingham; Atlanta Gift Market; New York Art Expo Show; Maison et Objet; ASEAN Furniture Show (Singapore); Ambiente Frankfurt; Furnitex, Melbourne; and Interiors UAE (Dubai).
For additional information about Artisan House, contact the company at 800.354.6873; 336.889.3426 (High Point showroom); or www.artisanhouse.com.
