Stefan Rurak, Action Series Screen I, USA, 2019

Stefan Rurak’s screen typifies his unique approach to design, blurring distinction between art and design, into a literal representation. The screen’s panels are created from flat planes of hand-patinated steel. The smooth surface of the steel reads as moody takes on color field painting, with areas populated with splashes and stains before being finished with oil and buffed wax. Applied pigmented concrete is built up to create texture somewhere between collage and assemblage. The back of the screen reveals deep grey mirrors.

Brooklyn-based Stefan Rurak’s furniture defies conventional boundaries – merging fine art aesthetics, modern conceptual design, and traditional, hand-made craftsmanship techniques. His evocative, one-of-a-kind works are the type of collectible pieces built to span generations. The table tops of his low tables are individually hand-patinated steel. The smooth surface of the steel is populated with splashes and stains, finished with oil and buffed wax and then gilded along the edges in 24ct gold. Applied pigmented concrete is built up to create texture somewhere between collage and assemblage for the round barrel bases.

Rurak draws no distinction between art and design – the utilitarian becoming a canvas for his aesthetic endeavor. Each work conveys movement, action, and intuition, providing a stark counterpoint to the meticulous construction and composition of the functional skeleton underneath.

Medium: Cast Concrete, Cement, Graphite, Patinated Steel, Mirrored Steel, Paint

Dimensions: 82” H x 66” W x 2” D, 208.28 H x 167.64 W x 5.08 D cm