Remembering Sam Maloof

Sam Maloof has passed away.

Thursday May 21, 2009 I received a phone call from my good friend the sculptor Michael Cooper. He said "I have some bad news. Last night, Sam Maloof died". Sam was 93 years old and still very active in his craft. A wave of sadness swept over me. This was the end of a living legend. Sam was unique in the world of woodworkers for his skill, his talent, his gifted designs, but probably even more so for his willingness to share his techniques, his good natured personality, and his ability to remain humble after having achieved a level of recognition that most people can only dream of.

I first met Sam in Mendocino, California back in 1982. I had my first Gallery piece on display at the Highlight Gallery ( back then it was called the Guild Store). Sam had a show of his work nearby at The Gallery Fair (later known as the William Zimmer Gallery). Bill Zimmer had asked Sam to meet with some of the younger aspiring craftsman and give them some feedback on their work. Sam being the nice guy that he was, generously talked and gave critiques to a number of us. My coffee table had a lacquer finish on it which Sam observed right away and advised me to do a hand rubbed oil finish on it to better show off the figure of the Burmese Padauk hardwood that I had used. I took his advice and refinished the table using the methods he described and wow , what a difference. I have been a fan of hand rubbed oil finishes ever since.

Over the years, I hardly ever missed an opportunity to hear Sam lecture or demonstrate if he was visiting the Bay Area. He was a wealth of information as well as inspiration and encouragement. He was quite open about saying that he was self taught and never had any degrees in furniture making. Hearing a man of his distinction say those words gave me hope that I might be able to survive in a world filled with very talented craftsman.

In more recent years when my wife Victoria and I had an opportunity to visit him during a tour organized by The Furniture Society, I was amazed at his energy level and vitality for a man of his years. He was approximately 87 at that point and to see him emerge from his studio with wood shavings on his shirt, brought an instant smile to my face. After greeting our group and welcoming us into his studio, he proceeded to do his famous demonstration of bandsawing compound curves for chair parts out of solid walnut stock. I have seen him do it before and he always says "don’t try this in your own shop, it’s very dangerous. I have been doing it like this my whole life and I'm use to it, but I don’t recommend this technique for others".

Sam Maloof has reached the highest level of recognition that any woodworker could ever hope for in his lifetime. He has his work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as well many other famous museums. His work is in the collection of past Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

In 1985 Sam was the first craftsman to receive a MacArthur Foundation grant. He will be remembered forever as a generous soul who shared his knowledge with others and left a legacy in woodworking that gives hope to many. Thank you Sam for your incredible contribution to the craft, your generous nature, and your works of art.

For much more on the life of Sam Maloof here is a link to the Los Angeles Times obituary.