Dining Chair

Kristina Madsen views her work as a study of pattern, with furniture as its medium. Her intricately hand-carved pieces bring together a wide variety of influences: a knowledge of textiles passed down from her grandmother, a traditional English cabinetmaking education, and an interest in South Pacific wood carving traditions. In 1991 Madsen received a Fulbright grant to spend nine months in Fiji studying with master carver Makiti Koto. While there, she learned the freehand intaglio technique, in which all engraved lines appear below the surface of the wood. Since then, she has used this technique to enliven her furniture. The geometric engravings on this Dining Chair, which reference lace, a Hawaiian fan, and the common Fijian motif of a shark’s tooth, add a rich texture that complements the simple yet elegant design.