Phillip Lloyd Powell
Phillip Lloyd Powell (1919ā2008) was a key figure in the American Studio Craft Movement, committed in equal measure to craftsmanship and to the expressive qualities of natural materials.
His carved wooden cabinets, consoles, chairs and dining tables are today among the most sought-after works of the period.
Biography
Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1919, Powell developed an early passion for furniture design, making pieces for himself and custom work for family and friends while still in his teens. He studied engineering at Drexel University and was then drafted into the Army Air Corps during the Second World War.
After military service Powell settled in New Hope, Pennsylvania, at the time a thriving centre for craftspeople that counted Paul Evans among its artists. The two met there and shared a studio throughout the 1950s and 1960s, a close working relationship that led to frequent collaborations and to some of the most significant works of the Midcentury Studio Furniture Movement.
Models and collaborations
Powell worked primarily with richly grained woods, letting the natural contours and character of the material direct the design. Rather than industrial production methods, he practised hand carving, drawing the form out of the wood through careful manipulation. Slate was a second favoured material, used as tops for tables and credenzas, its deep grey tone set against the warmth of the wood.