About
Seth Rolland
I make animated, intriguing, functional sculpture for people who enjoy both utility and artistry in the objects they live with. Furniture is interactive. We develop a bond with it. When a chair or cabinet leaves my studio, it takes on a new story with its owners through generations of use.
Since 1990 I’ve been crafting custom furniture. Thanks to an architect mother and a landscape architect father, I was exposed to materials and tools at a young age, as well as an appreciation of good design. My path to woodworking might have begun at age six when I built a raft, or later during a boat-building class with 83-year-old master builder John Gardner. But an apprenticeship with custom furniture maker Janis Colella taught me that furniture offered an appealing freedom of expression and variety.
I’m thankful to have enjoyed some recognition through a variety of awards and exhibitions, such as the John and Joyce Price Award of Excellence at the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Biennial 2014: Knock on Wood. This led to a 2016 solo show at BAM entitled Balance and Tension: The Furniture of Seth Rolland. You can find my work in art shows, galleries, museums and publications around the country, and I teach workshops annually.
When I’m not in my woodshop I’m usually out in nature—hiking, camping or sailing—where time stops and I find both tranquility and inspiration.
“I wanted to thank you for the stunning Salish Sea bathtub. It has left everyone speechless! You are clearly very talented and I hope others will give you the opportunity to make something very special for them as well. I especially appreciate your help communicating with my plumber to make sure it would fit the space and function perfectly. You always responded in a timely manner. You should be very proud of this piece. I know I certainly am!”
—MELISSA
“The Rio Grande table arrived safely and I just finished unwrapping it. It is absolutely gorgeous. You are a true artist. What lines! Thanks! (I’m heading back downstairs to look at it again.)”
—ELIZABETH
“We put the Tsubo coffee table in our new space and it’s amazing. I firmly believe that we have the best coffee table ever created. I’ll take photos and send them to you.”
—STEPH
About the Work
I choose beautiful, sustainably harvested woods for their color and grain. To guarantee the highest quality craftsmanship at every stage, I cut, join, carve, assemble and finish each piece by hand. To achieve some of my dramatic, fluid forms, I use processes such as steam bending, lamination, kerf cutting (making many slices in the wood) and vacuum forming.
You’ll find work in three collections:
Elemental: inspired by the simplicity, beauty and motion of natural forms
Flare: dramatic, split and bent, single-piece wood work with minimal joinery and glue
Stone: natural stone and wood, merged to balance one another, often in dramatic asymmetry
I look forward to creating a special piece that brings joy to your home or office. I welcome new custom commissions or variations on existing work. Visit the Ordering page for more information.