Henry Merker
Henry Merker (Philadelphia, b. 1996) designs experimental home goods in pursuit of rare shapes - forms that question conventionality and reveal the beauty of wood through its versatility. His practice involves a hybrid approach to woodworking using a combination of traditional and digital fabrication techniques. In addition to producing collections for local Philadelphia galleries such as Commonweal and Dudd Haus, Henry has refined his practice through artist residencies at The Museum for Art in Wood (Philadelphia, PA), Anderson Ranch Arts Center (Snowmass, CO). He currently runs his studio in tandem with a long-term artist-in-residence fellowship at Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft in Columbia, NC.
Q&A with Henry Merker
What’s the most prized object you own?
I am lucky to have many original woodcut blocks from my late grandfather's printing studio, but my most prized is his portrait of Henry David Thoreau commissioned by The Johns Hopkins Press in the 80s. It's a striking portrait, but what draws me to it is the imprinted memory of my grandfather's chisel hand in the wood, and his artist's eye in the design.
In a world overflowing with objects, why continue making new things?
Ideas are not a zero-sum game. We don't stop singing once all the melodies and lyrics have been transcribed and copywritten, do we?
What’s your favorite material to work with and why?
I love black walnut. The smell of its fresh shavings, the ease of its sculpting, the rich depth of its grain - all of these qualities remind me of home.
Tell us about something that inspires you.
I am always awestruck by creatures of the deep sea. The thought of what life is like in such cold, dark, vast places is only outmatched by the unholy forms these lifeforms take. This feeling of being overcome with perplexing detail and proportion is equally inspiring in the artistic works of Moebius, Ernst Haeckel, HP Lovecraft, and Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Any advice for young designers?
Find a local (or online) design community and make friends. Go to gallery openings, ask thoughtful questions, and develop your taste. Design is an ongoing conversation, and if you aim to have anything valuable to say, you must first listen in and understand what's being said right now.
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