Michener Art Museum

Dennis R. Mueller


Dennis R. Mueller
CRAFTSPERSON
BORN: October 10, 1951, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My work seeks to understand what seems to be an inherent contradiction in wood. Although wood can be absolutely stunning in its beauty, it can also be rotted, bug-infested and coarse. Much of my work incorporates both of these characteristics within a single object." -Dennis Mueller

Dennis Mueller has achieved national recognition for his work in wood turning and sculpture. He began turning wood with a traditional approach, creating a succession of bowls and vases, known as hollow vessels. Smooth and highly polished, his earlier work was more traditional in its finish. Interested in personal expression, he quickly turned to more sculptural forms. His work, at once beautiful and coarse, captures the inherently contradictory nature of wood, combining natural and man-made surfaces.
Much of his current work has become increasingly symbolic, focusing more on self-expression, concepts, and issues. Mueller has exhibited throughout the United States and his work can be found in the collections of the James A. Michener Art Museum and the Woodturning Center, as well as in many private collections.