Ted Lott

"The magic of being an artist is that we get to start with nothing but an idea, a thought, and then, through an almost alchemical process, to transform raw material into form—into objects that can bring joy to the lives of those who encounter them. "

Buildings are the bones that support human culture. We live our lives inside them, and because of our familiarity, we often cease to notice their quiet simplicity and beauty. The work of Ted Lott reveals the logic of these structures: ubiquitous, yet hidden; simple, yet requiring its own set of skills and knowledge to execute successfully; common, yet unique, like humanity itself.

Lott's process begins with rough lumber, which he mills in his shop to create miniaturized lumber that is then assembled into architectural structures. These processes are often combined with more traditional methods of woodworking, such as *mortise-and-tenon joinery:Mortise & Tenon* and steam bending, to create a unique form of hybrid architectural furniture.

Lott received a BFA in furniture design from Maine College of Art and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Kohler Arts/Industry Program, Anderson Ranch Art Center, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, among others. He has taught at multiple colleges and universities, as well as at Penland School of Craft and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. He currently lives and works in Grand Rapids, Michigan.