Artist

Rude Osolnik

born Dawson, NM 1915-died Berea, KY 2001
Media - osolnik_rude.jpg - 90105
Copyright unknown
Born
Dawson, New Mexico, United States
Died
Berea, Kentucky, United States
Biography

Considered to be one of the fathers of contemporary wood turning in America, Rude Osolnik is something of a folk hero. Working in Kentucky, he creates robust forms from a variety of woods. Osolnik is noted for his ability to use figures in the wood he laminates, creating a signature look that emerges only as the work is turned.

Kenneth Trapp The Renwick at Twenty-Five (Washington, D.C.: National Museum of American Art, 1997)

Works by this artist (6 items)

Rude Osolnik, Stack Laminated Mahogany Bowl, 1990, mahogany, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist and Connell Gallery in loving memory of Daphne Francis Osolnik, 1999.105
Stack Laminated Mahogany Bowl
Date1990
mahogany
On view
Rude Osolnik, Vase, 1984, birch plywood and walnut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George Peter Lamb and Lucy Scardino in memory of Natalie Rust Lamb, 1995.100.23
Vase
Date1984
birch plywood and walnut
Not on view
Rude Osolnik, Five Candlesticks, 1988, mascassar ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.44A-E
Five Candlesticks
Date1988
mascassar ebony
Not on view
Rude Osolnik, Bowl, 1984, spalted maple, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.43
Bowl
Date1984
spalted maple
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2003.60.2 - SAAM-2003.60.2_3 - 128176
A Revolution in Wood: The Bresler Collection
September 23, 2010January 30, 2011
A Revolution in Wood: The Bresler Collection celebrates the magnificent gift of sixty-six pieces of turned and carved wood to the Smithsonian American Art Museum by the noted collectors, Fleur and Charles Bresler.