Transforming natural wood and metal into striking sculptures.
Born in 1975 in Missouri, Christopher Kurtz grew up in an artistic environment. He went on to study sculpture and landscape architecture before working for a few years as a studio assistant for renowned artist Martin Puryear. After opening his own studio in 2005, Kurtz began to focus on his sculptural work and furniture design. The artist works in solid wood and metal, using traditional techniques to craft each piece of art by hand. Fluid and dynamic, the abstract wood sculptures draw attention with their simple but also elaborate constructions. The artworks hide complex techniques behind their effortless gracefulness. Joinery, carpentry, and metalworking techniques help the sculptures to evolve from the base material into flowing silhouettes.
Whether created from wood or metal, the artist’s work has a distinctive quality. Elegant wood ribbons twist and turn to bring the abstract wood sculptures to life. Slender bronze limbs pierce the air, offering a “snapshot” of a dynamic movement seemingly captured in a moment in time. Conceptual works also provide more nuance to this signature aesthetic, exploring ideas of pushing limits and reaching higher, farther, and beyond. Christopher Kurtz currently lives and works in New York. His work is included in several private and public collections. Photographs© Christopher Kurtz.
