Custom furniture by Carin Wilson, New Zealand

Carin John Wilson (born March 2, 1945) is a New Zealand studio furniture maker, sculptor, and design educator. He was a leader in the country's craft movement in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s and was one of the inaugurators of the design showcase Artiture in 1987. He is a descendant of the Ngati Awa ancestor Te Rangihouhiri and the founding chairman of Nga Aho, a design initiative that advocates for collaborative and creative practices among professionals within the M?ori tribal structure and community.

Born and raised in the South Island of New Zealand, Wilson enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington in 1963 to study law. However, he soon became bored with his legal studies and found employment as a sales representative for a Maori publishing company. During this time, he trained in organization and methods, which would later prove to be valuable skills in his career as a more... furniture maker and design educator.

In 1965, Wilson moved to Christchurch to establish his own furniture-making studio. He was largely self-taught, and his early work was influenced by the Scandinavian mid-century modern style, but he quickly developed his own unique aesthetic. His furniture is characterized by its clean lines, elegant proportions, and use of natural materials, such as New Zealand native timbers.

Wilson's work quickly gained recognition, and he began to exhibit his furniture at galleries and exhibitions throughout New Zealand and Australia. In 1978, he was a founding member of the Canterbury Guild of Woodworkers, and in 1981, he was elected President of the Crafts Council of New Zealand.

In the 1980s, Wilson began to explore the relationship between his Maori heritage and his work as a furniture maker. He incorporated traditional M?ori patterns and motifs into his designs, and he also collaborated with M?ori craftspeople to create new and innovative pieces of furniture.

Wilson's work is held in public and private collections throughout New Zealand and Australia. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000 for services to design and craftsmanship.

In addition to his work as a furniture maker and designer, Wilson has also been a dedicated educator. He taught at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology for many years, and he has also given workshops and lectures throughout New Zealand and Australia. less...