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Wood Furniture and Decorative ObjectsFor more than 30 years, Tom Tedrowe has been designing and building beautiful objects in wood. His designs reflect his diverse studies in world art and architecture. For example, when he returned from a recent trip to Machu Picchu, Tom went straight to work in his studio. “I was inspired by the Inca construction and the way they carved stones so precisely for a perfect fit,” he says. This exactness in construction is important to Tom, who designs and builds fine contemporary furniture in his studio in Brown County. He is now developing ideas for sculptural objects in wood incorporating Inca-inspired shapes. Tom’s studio is filled with art books and his own drawings and sketchbooks. He finds inspiration from a broad range of sources, including the work of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, Romanian sculptor Constantine Brancusi and the French Art Deco furniture designers Jacques Ruhlmann and Eugene Prinz. Tom has a BFA in sculpture from Indiana University’s Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied with Tage Frid. Yet Tom is still learning, visiting museums, historic homes and castles, art and craft galleries and contemporary furnishing stores wherever he travels. “I continue to develop my repertoire to include a broader base of both traditional and modern stylistic expression and technique.” Tom’s dedication to his chosen field of art has paid off. His work has been honored with many awards, including “Best of Show- Contemporary Furniture” at the Milwaukee (WI) Fine Furnishings Show in 2006 and “Best of Show – Body of Work” at the Providence (RI) Fine Furnishings Show in 2004. These shows are the premier studio furniture shows in the United States. Tom has also received several state grants to pursue his artistic goals. In the Spring semester, 2007 Tom held the position of “Artist in Residence” at the School of Art + Design at the State University of New York in Purchase, NY. During his residency he taught a master class entitled “Sculpture/Furniture, is there a difference?” While on the east coast, Tom exhibited his work at the “International Contemporary Furnishings Fair” at the Javits Center in New York City. Tom also exhibited his work at the invitational Philadelphia Furniture Show in March, 2008. He is also represented by the Sherrie Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. Tom is also a teacher. He taught furniture a design class at the School of the Art Institute when he was living in Chicago and in 2007 at the Herron School of Art. Also in 2007, Tedrowe taught a class at the Mark Adams School of woodworking in Franklin, IN. Throughout his career Tom has accepted commissions to design and build all manner of furniture, including bedroom sets, buffets, cabinets, chairs and decorative boxes and cases. He continues to consider commissioned pieces. Like any true artist, Tom continues to challenge himself with new designs and the creation of more intricate pieces. His work is known for its design, meticulous craftsmanship and use of exotic woods.
Garden Tom and his spouse Martha continue to expand their 5-year-old gardens, some in shade, some in sun. The gardens include annual plants in a variety of vessels, perennial grasses and plants, ornamental shrubs and vines, and garden sculptures designed by Tom and other artists. Martha, who recently completed the “Master Gardener” program through Purdue University, invites visitors to walk through the gardens and discuss gardening and its challenges. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, 1 to 5 PM. The studio is also open by appointment.
email ~ website ~ In The News
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