Mark Gottschalk

"​My work fuses the industrial qualities of metal with the organic characteristics of wood. The contrast between soft edge and hard edge, machine and organic have always held a fascination for me. "

These mahogany and polished metal pieces focus on the contrasting characteristics of machined, highly polished metal surfaces and the natural qualities of wood. The designs emphasize streamlined forms, clean shapes, and simple lines reminiscent of pieces from the Art Deco and Precisionism movements.

Gottschalk designs his pieces on a computer and then transfers the designs to his home-built computerized machinery for rough cutting. Once the rough wood shapes are laminated together, he shapes them with wood files and sanding drums. The mahogany pieces are stained and lacquered and the aluminum cut, sanded, and then polished to a high shine.

Gottschalk received his BFA degree from Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he studied under light artist Cork Marcheski and sculptor Dick Graham. While at MCAD, Gottschalk worked under George Morrison to create Morrison's "Red Totems."