Michael Aram
| Michael Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in metal. After studying fine art and living as an artist in New York in the late 1980's, Aram took what would later be a life-altering trip to India where he discovered rich metalworking traditions. Inspired to work with craftsmen whose skills he felt were greatly untapped, Aram turned his creative energies towards craft based design, setting up a home and workshop in New Delhi. Aram's work reflects humanity through the directness of the handmade process, as each piece is lovingly made using age old traditional techniques. The artisan nature of the work imbues it with a soulful quality and an energy, which Aram feels is only possible with work, which reflects the hand of the maker. This energy is further enhanced by the tension of line, form, and meaning that is characteristic of Aram's work. As extraordinary objects, they cause us to pause and consider them, and therefore create a sense of ritual and ceremony in their day to day use. The objects range from tableware to furniture, both are sold in galleries and specialty stores worldwide. This broad diversity embodies Aram's versatility as an artist who is comfortable working on private commissions, one of a kind piece for gallery shows, or pieces that are affordable to a wider audience. Bridging the gap between the artist and artisan is a hallmark of Michael Aram's work. Whether in his narrative and figurative "signature" collection, or in his more contemporary 'studio' line, each piece is entirely handmade with no two examples ever exactly the same. The handmade quality of the work allows it to shift beautifully between the realm of fine and decorative art. This enduring melange of quality and originality sits comfortably at home in contemporary as well as in more classical interiors. Appropriately, in Hindi, "aram" means "gently, with peace, with love and care". Repeating this direction mantra-like to the craftsmen, Aram succeeds in making high quality work, which is as much a personal statement, as its appeal is universal. |
