John Lawrence Skau (NC, 1953-2007), Two Contemporary Sculptural Baskets

woven natural and painted hardwood strips, featuring masterful weave structures and geometric patterns, ebonized rim borders and foot, the taller in flared triangular form (11 1/2 x 16 3/4 x 17 3/4 in.); the larger in flared square form (9 x 23 1/2 x 24 in.), both with signature and date to undersides.
Born in Waukegan, Illinois, John Skau received as Associate degree from Lake County Community College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University and his Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He was a nationally known artist producing one of kind sculptural baskets. John was inspired by freedom of expression and called for artists to find the whimsy in their creations: "To me, the word whimsy strongly suggests the word freedom. I like that idea. We as artists and crafts people need more freedom. Working in the medium of fiber we are all too often faced with restrictions and constraints of one kind or another…"
His work appears in many public and private collections including Art Quest in Greensboro. He also taught around the country including Ball State University, Arrowmont, Penland, and Theatre Art Gallery in High Point. His studio was located in Archdale , North Carolina, and he was an exhibiting member at Piedmont Craftsman from 1994-2007.

Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Good estate condition; a few minor scuffs and dust to interstices.