LOCKE BELL

Locke Bell (b. 1973, United States) creates meticulously handcrafted furniture in wood. After graduating from Bennington College with a degree in sculpture, he apprenticed with master craftsmen to hone his sculpting abilities. Over the past decades, he has worked as a restorer, conservator, and furniture maker for some of the most significant dealers, collectors, and institutions in the United States and Europe. He has developed a unique technical mastery and thorough understanding of the subject matter and material. Initially specializing in 18th century English furniture, he expanded his expertise to include Anglo-Indian and classical Chinese furniture. For the last 15 plus years, he has been working with twentieth century and contemporary furniture and design. His artistic practice is rooted in tradition and craftsmanship, and draws inspiration from sources ranging from folk art to motifs used in ancient Egyptian art. His in-depth knowledge of furniture history and technical mastery of the material yield contemporary, playful, and humanistic pieces that exist outside of stylistic trends.