Barbara Bjerring - Philadelphia Powerlines Ceramic Vessel

Design Studio - Luxury Furniture and Design by Michael Oates Michael Oates (b. 1991) is an artist and designer based out of Alpha, Nj. Who's current discipline has been functional and spatial design using wood as his primary medium. Living and working in the Bucks County area Michael immersed himself in the thriving craft scene - drawing influence from the river towns that run along the Delaware. The process usually begins sourcing the raw material, exploring local lumber yards, hand selecting the pieces he will work with. "Each piece has a story, as to how it fell, the figuring, cracking. The wood does most of the work, it dictates what it will ultimately become - I just have the privilege of allowing that to happen." Michael explores myth, acknowledges the archetype and points toward the numinous focusing on the communication of symbol through object - the hidden process of ushering meaning through experience.