Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web, including handy tips to help you get stuck into your next woodworking project.
George Nakashima
George Nakashima was a master craftsman and artist who transformed woodworking into a spiritual practice. Born in 1905 in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese immigrant parents, he studied architecture at the University of Washington and later at MIT. His travels through Europe and Asia, particularly his time in Japan, influenced his philosophy and technique. While working with architect Antonin Raymond in Japan, Nakashima discovered the traditional woodworking methods that shaped his craft.
During World War II, Nakashima and his family were sent to an internment camp in Idaho. Even in confinement, he found inspiration, learning Japanese hand-tool techniques from a fellow internee. This period became a defining moment in his journey as a woodworker.
After the war, Nakashima established his studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania, where he created furniture that celebrated the natural beauty of wood. He embraced imperfections, transforming cracks and knots into unique features, and treated each piece of wood as a story waiting to be told. His designs, blending simplicity and organic forms, stood apart in an era dominated by industrial production.
Nakashima’s work gained international acclaim, attracting collectors like Nelson Rockefeller. His legacy endures in his timeless designs, which continue to inspire with their harmony of nature, craft, and artistry.
Videos of the Week
Woodworkers Institute Articles of the Week
Woodturning Competition
The Mark Baker Woodturner of the Year Competition Public Vote!
Have your say in who will win the Mark Baker Woodturner of the Year Competition by casting your vote on the Woodworkers Institute. The results will be combined with our panel of experts to choose a winner for each category.
Beginning next week!