Joel Urruty
Joël Urruty was born in San Francisco, CA in 1968. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial technology from San Francisco State University. He apprenticed as a furniture maker under David J. Marks, Master Craftsman, and later went on to earn a Masters of Fine Art in Woodworking and Furniture Design from the School of American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Today Joël resides in western North Carolina where he creates abstract figurative sculptures in both wood and bronze. His work has been exhibited internationally in fine art galleries and museums. He has also been widely published in art magazines and books. Private collections include: Saks Fifth Avenue; Tiffany’s; Setai Hotel, NYC; Ritz Carlton, VA and The Forum Building, GA.
"As an artist I strive to create elegant sculptures that capture the true essence of the subject matter."
EDUCATION
1996 MFA in Woodworking and Furniture design, Rochester Institute of Technology,
School of American Crafts
1992-1993 Woodworking apprenticeship with David J. Marks, Master Craftsman
1992 Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology, San Francisco State University
EXHIBITIONS
2017
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC, NY
Affordable Art Fair, New York, NY
Scope Art Fair, Miami Beach, FL
2016
Art Hamptons, New York, NY
Affordable Art Fair, New York City, NY
SOFA. Sculpture and Objects, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Scope Art Fair, Miami Beach, FL
2015
“Interconnected: Tangible dualities by Joël Urruty”, Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, NC
SOFA Chicago, represented by Havoc gallery, Chicago, IL
Affordable Art Fair, NYC represented by Havoc gallery, NYC, NY
Art Hamptons, represented by VK Gallery, Water Mill, NY
Red Dot Miami, represented by Havoc Gallery, Miami Beach, FL
LA Art Show, represented by VK Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC, NY
2014
Red Dot, represented by Havoc Gallery, Burlington, VT
Affordable Art Fair NYC, represented by Havoc gallery, NYC, NY
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC, NY
2013
Smithsonian Craft show, Washington, DC
Architectural Digest Home Design Show, NYC, NY
2011
Art Hamptons, represented by Patrajdas Contemporary, Water Mill, NY
ArtMRKT Hamptons, represented by Patrajdas Contemporary, Bridgehampton, NY
2010
A Quiet Voice, solo show, Hickory Museum of Art, Hickory, NC
Gallery Bronze Show, Gump’s, San Francisco, CA
2009
Pearl: Inspiring Design and desire ExhibitionGump’s, San Francisco, CA
Literally Figurative, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX
Focus on Wood, Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA
2007
Shy Boy, She devil and Isis, Museum of Fine Art, The Art of Conceptual Craft, Selections from the Wornick Collection, Boston, MA
Philadelphia Museum Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA
2006
Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC
2004
Cut it out, Fuller Craft Museum, Brockville, MA
The Language of Wood, WDO gallery, Charlotte, NC
2002
Two Man Show, Joël Urruty & John Goodheart
WDO Gallery, Charlotte, NC
2001
The World Competition of Arts and Crafts, Kanazawa, JAPAN
Two Man Show: Joël Urruty & Rolf Hoeg, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, MA
HONORS
2014 Regional Arts Project Grant, United Arts Council of Catawba County
2013 Best in show, Hickory art museum, road trip
Merit award, Caldwell sculpture celebration
2012 Merit award, Caldwell sculpture celebration
2008 Award of excellence in wood, Palm Beach craft show
2004 Residency Fellowship, International turning Exchange, Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA
2000 Merit Award, Images 200, Robeson Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1999 Richard Guggenheim Award, Best in 3D, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA
Honorable Mention, The Muse Gallery: National Juried Show, Philadelphia, PA
1996 Art and Design American Craft Scholarship, Rochester Institute of Technology
Graduate Department Scholarship, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Grovewood Scholarship, Asheville, NC
PERMANENT MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
Museum of Fine Art, Boston, MA
Asheville Art Museum, Asheville NC
Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu HI
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
City of Hickory
Saks Fifth Ave. VA
Tiffany’s, NYC, NY
Setai Hotel, NYC
Ritz Carlton, VA
The Forum Building, GA