217 - John Risley

John Risley (American, 1919–2001) Curved Plywood Bench 17 h × 39 ½ w × 12 ½ d in. hardwood From the estate of John Risley This lot is located in Chicago. no visible marks or signatures. John Risley was an American sculptor, artist, and furniture designer whose work bridged the worlds of functional design and fine art. Educated at Amherst College, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Cranbrook Academy of Art, he became an influential voice in the postwar American craft and design movement. His iconic People furniture utilized steel rods to illustratively form sculptural seating and distinctive figural designs. Many of his enduring pieces meld practicality with a keen sense of humor. In addition to his design practice, Risley taught at Wesleyan University from 1954 to 1988, leaving a distinctive legacy of creativity, craftsmanship, and wit in mid-century American design. The lots offered in this auction come from the Risley family cabin in Maine.