Deirdre Visser
Terry Holzgreen: 'I’m not trying to find my voice. I have it.'
In late 2020, shortly after Joe Biden won a convincing presidential victory, Holzgreen used his signature fabrication style to create a kind of cabinet on long, spindly legs. Fun and funky, says the artist, “I think it kind of looked like a spider or octopus or something.” In a moment when many of us were taking deep and sustained sighs of relief, he titled it, ’Cuz Democracy Still Got Legs. As another election cycle looms, Holzgreen feels the ongoing relevance of his first ungainly tribute to democracy’s resilience. In the shop at 1800 North American in Philadelphia—arguably the seat of American democracy—Holzgreen has built another box perched atop wobbly legs. Built from bits of wood that are various in their textures, patinas, species, and wear, this “furniturish” sculpture breaks new ground for the artist. Over several years he’s been developing this construction methodology, building what Leslie King Hammond refers to as “objects of sublime beauty and extraordinary craftsmanship,” functional works from the material commonly discarded.
Deirdre Visser, Author, Joinery, Joists and Gender
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