George Nakashima

Born in 1905 in Washington, the architect and designer George Nakashima could never be accused of following a strictly linear career path. After completing his architectural degree in 1931, George Nakashima lived the life of a bohemian in France, travelled to North Africa and finally to Japan where he met the architect Antonin Raymond and studied Japanese design and architecture tradition. During his military service in Idaho George Nakashima met the Japanese carpenter Gentaro Kenneth Hikogawa, who further instructed him in the traditions of Japanese tools and techniques. The degree of perfection achieved by Nakashima in his art can be seen today in his furniture designs, often individual pieces, and occasionally produced from a particular tree with a particular meaning. His Straight Chair, which he developed around 1946 in the tradition of the classic Windsor chairs is now produced by the American furniture manufacturer Knoll.