George Nakashima

George Nakashima (1905-1990) was a renowned Japanese-American furniture designer and craftsman who profoundly influenced American design. His importance in the studio craft movement lies in his exceptional skill at merging traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Japanese and American vernacular styles and modernist design, resulting in functional, sculptural, and visually striking furniture. Nakashima developed a new design language that connected Eastern and Western sensibilities with Japanese woodworking traditions. He found inspiration in natural forms, classic joinery techniques, and wood's intrinsic beauty.