Conversations in Craft Spotlight: Bob Miller

January 23, 2018

Categories

Alumni

Bob Miller CF ’11: “Al-hamra Tables,” red citadel tables, Walnut
Paired with Grouping of hexagonal tables, ca. 1910, from the collection at The Stevens-Coolidge Place

Bob grew up in North Carolina and came to Boston to begin his career. He drew upon his love of Moorish architecture when designing his project, specifically looking to the common doorways of Northern Africa and Southern Spain. He also toured The Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover to draw inspiration, and was taken by the family’s clear love of world cultures. (He jokes, “I realized these are my people. I think I’m a New Englander displaced at birth!”)

When nested, his tables create an arcade that emphasizes the elegant simplicity of the keyhole arch found in the region.

When nested, his tables create an arcade that emphasizes the elegant simplicity of the keyhole arch found in the region. In addition, when the tables are stacked in decreasing size, they mirror the silhouette of a minaret, or mosque tower. Bob’s approach was to look at the tables not only as singular objects, but to explore what they could become when displayed as a unit. He hopes visitors will be inspired by how the simple shapes of Moorish architecture can be brought together to form more complex designs.

Bob a 2011 graduate of the Cabinet & Furniture Making program and is a custom furniture maker and woodworker based in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He creates a range of often sustainable custom work from small accessory items to custom furniture. Bob manages The Charlestown Furniture Makers, which is an 18 tenant co-op and solar-powered woodshop located in the Sullivan Square area of Charlestown.

Group of hexagonal tables c. 1910 (left), Group of hexagonal tables c. 1910 (left), “Al-hamra Tables” (right)

This is part 4 of a 13-part series on the artisans in “Conversations in Craft,” a collaborative exhibit with NBSS and Fruitlands Museum.
Read Part 3: Lance Patterson | Read Part 5: Eli Cleveland

Cabient & Furniture Making Program