Book Review: New Masters of the Wooden Box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, don’t get hung up on the traditional image of a box: you know, five sides and a lid. The 34 craftsmen and women featured in New Masters of the Wooden Box sure aren’t limited to a “boxy” box. Take Saskatchewan native Michael Hosaluk’s shrimp-like boxes made from Australian jara and Canadian maple (above, left). They are more works of art than containers.

 

 

In fact, most of the boxes in this book are on the fanciful/artistic side of things, as opposed to the practical/craftsman side. But these artsy boxes are introductions to other stunning works, such as Hosaluk’s

Yellow Cactus Chair (above, right) and Scribble, a maple bowl decorated with acrylic paint. These both show a level of creativity and construction beyond usual project plans.

And why not travel to the outer reaches of woodworking? There’s probably some inspiration out there that you can bring back.