We recently attended the AANY (Amigos de los Artistas/Artesanos Nuevos de Yucatan) art show and fair with the idea that we would just “look.” Well, for those that know Lea and me, we are suckers for great art and talented artists. So, during our looking around, we discovered George Samuelson.
From the AANY website:
George joined Katrina Schikora’s studio and they formed their very successful design group, Takto. He studied industrial design in Mexico City and managed several carpentry businesses there and in San Miguel Allende and has constructed multiple houses for sale in both places. He is known for his furniture design and sculptural designs in both wood and metal. Takto Art and Design Studio works closely with architects and individual clients to create dynamic and contemporary private and public spaces.
From the Takto website:
George Samuelson is co-founder of Takto art and design group and has been living in Yucatán, Mexico for seven years. He received his education in Biology at the UNAM (National University of Mexico) and in Industrial Design in Ciudadela, INBA, Mexico City. Artist, furniture designer, architect, inventor…. George´s creative interest doesn´t know any limits. After having worked with several of the most prestigious architects of Mexico and managing three carpintery businesses producing his designer furniture, George started building his own dream houses in the 1990’s in Valle de Bravo, Edo. de México and San Miguel Allende. So far, he has built seven of them. After finishing a house, George sells his dream to someone else. He´s already busy dreaming his next one…. Apart from creating unique pieces of furniture and metal and wood sculpture, George builds sweet and sea water aquariums, breeds koi carps, is a passionate cook and still builds houses for himself and other people. – And he loves visiting scrapyards!!
Needless to say, we loved George’s work. Turns out he has both Mexican and Swedish origins—which explains his unique combination of passion and precision. We bought one table at the AANY show (right) and commissioned a second one for the kitchen (left.) The combination of very precise steel (heat treated to a deep black finish) with full planks (left ragged edged) of rubber tree wood, finished to a satin sheen with teak oil, is perfect for us. The wood “floats” over the precise structure. This is not unlike how we try to live: placing our individuality within a societal structure. One can not exist without the other. We are thrilled…
Thank you very much Jeff for your enthusiastic words. I think the tables look beautiful in your house! I´m very much looking forward to seeing your place in person after the holidays. I´m also very interested in getting to know some of Lea´s work. All the best to both of you! 🙂