When I read this description on Thomas' Biography and saw his neo-classical works I knew that this is a designer that I had to feature at The Arts by Karena!
"Art—in all of its infinite forms—is the catalyst for what Thomas Fuchs does. He’s a furniture designer, creator of stunning Venetian glass, an avid painter…and so much more. Art—is his passion. And that passion passes on through his work."
Please enjoy our conversation and getting to know more about Thomas .
1) Thomas, did you know from an early age that you were interested in being creative and the arts?
It was never a conscious thought. I wish it was because then I could have stopped it and became a lawyer or banker. Only kidding, I knew there was something in me pulling me but never put a name or function to it, I just always needed to create.
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| The fabulous Bollicine Chandelier |
2) Would you tell our readers a bit about your background leading up to Thomas Fuchs Creative and Otium, your Lighting and Accessories Company?
I was very fortunate to attend the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. as well as the Art Student League and the National Academy of Design in New York City.
During my studies, I interned at C. G. Sloan, an auction house in Washington D.C., (this opportunity is an incredible education for a designer) after my graduation they hired me full time in the furniture department. From there I went onto join Butterfield and Butterfield in San Francisco as an appraiser. After a few years, one of my client asked if I would move to LA to create a line of furniture, which I did. I spent a few years in in Los Angeles but I got homesick for NYC.
Lucky for me this happen to coincide with John Hutton, the Creative Director of Donghia requesting me to move back to New York and work with him. Once back, John suggested we start working in glass, so they sent me to Italy where I worked closely with the factories to create our first collection. When Donghia was eventually sold, I thought it would be a good time to leave and start my own lighting company, Otium. That was a little over 10 years ago.
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| The Disco Volante Candle Holder, Murano glass and 24 carat Gold Leaf |
3) Is travel one of your passions; I understand you spend a lot of time in Murano, Italy to oversee the art glass production. Where else do your travels take you?
Travel is a big part of my life, both personally and professionally. I always seem to fit factory visits in anywhere I go in the world especially if there is a glass factory within a 100 miles to where I am. Being in a factory and working with the artisans is one of the best ways to learn about a culture, its beliefs, work mentality, etc. My partner and I just returned from Africa which I love, I have been there a few times, in fact we visited 3 glass factories there, as well as the game parks and we “adopted” a couple of elephants in the sense that we made a donation to the game park.
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| The Lion Chandelier |
4) What inspired the new Butterfly Barware Collection which is making its debut at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall?
I love the artistry of the precious and semi precious stone inlay done in India. I thought a butterfly wing would lend itself to this craftsmanship. I also tried to make the collection a little dark in spirit in that a butterfly spends so much time in the process of becoming a butterfly and then is only one for a short while. But it is hard for people to see a butterfly as a dark subject matter.
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| The Butterfly Collection debuting at Saks Fifth Avenue this Fall |
5) Who are some other artists and designers that you admire?
Albert Hadley was not only a visionary I admired, I was also able to develop a friendship with him from a very early age. I also love the kinetic energy a Calder sculpture creates and the realness of the texture Giacometti used in his work. There are many, many more inspirations as well.
6) I was very excited to hear about your Foxware Glass Collection in the water wave pattern in collaboration with Proctor and Gamble. Would you describe how this is going to benefit children in need? When will this glassware be available to purchase and where?
This collaboration is to benefit Proctor and Gamble's CSDW (Children's Safe Drinking Water) sustainability program. Clean water is the biggest commodity in the world. Enabling and supporting P&G's program by donation of funds through selling of these glasses will mean people will be able to get the kits to clean the water. This means women and children will not have to walk to wells daily freeing them time wise to be able to go to school.
Wave Glassware by Fuchs to benefit Children in need is in partnership with Proctor & Gamble. Every set of four glasses sold will bring $5 for the CSDW Program. Foxware is an artisanal home goods company owned by Fuchs and creative collaborator Michou Mahtani.
This special designed glassware will be available in Spring of 2015. http://foxware-nyc.com Please visit at that time and make a purchase to assist in this great endeavor.
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| The Glassware Thomas created for P&G |
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| Thomas at the Hotshop (Glassmakers Studio) |
Fuchs first approached Proctor & Gamble about their Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative after seeing how a small packet of powder developed by P & G scientists could transform even the dirtiest drinking water into pure water within minutes. It removes parasites and arsenic, while destroying common waterborne bacteria and viruses.
Please do take some time to peruse Thomas's websites, Otium and Thomas Fuchs Creative. Enlarge the images so that you can see the incredible details of his works.
Much appreciation to Gwen Toline of GHT Communications for sharing this information about Thomas Fuchs and his artistry.
Thank you to my many friends and Followers who support The Arts!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
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