Clear white pine, marquetry, hand-made paper

62” h x 60” w  2007

I designed the Shunmin folding screen as a room divider.  The design, with its subtle, vertical grain pattern, provided me an opportunity to explore sweeping, brushstroke-like imagery of resting butterflies and blossoms.

The grid-work within the frames, called Kumiko, creates an asymmetrical, balanced design. The Kumiko is joined with very precise fitting half-lap joinery.  The Kumiko pieces are unglued, held together by tension alone. They are hand-cut one at a time with saw and fine Japanese chisels. 

The finish is hand-rubbed shellac, creating a soft sheen.  Discreet, shop-made brass hinges allow the panels to pivot while maintaining the visual spacing between the stiles (vertical frame pieces).