Mark Ragonese

Mark Ragonese is a master woodworker, sculptor and multi-media artist. He designs and builds one of a kind fine furniture and sculpture and outdoor site and event specific installations. He studied at the University of New Hampshire with Daniel Valenza where he later served as studio technician and adjunct faculty. Mark apprenticed with Jon Brooks in 1987. He is an experienced teacher of mastery level woodworking and design. He has been a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen since 1983 and is one of their state woodworking jurors. For many years his work could be found at the Society of Arts and Craft in Boston and in galleries in New York and Philadelphia. He now works by commission and teaches furniture making and sculpture privately and at several craft schools. He has been a rostered artist with the NH State Council on the Arts and Very Special Arts since 1991. In 1993 Mark received the Yamagata International Visual Arts Fellowship for his work with the disabled and disadvantaged. His residencies are specifically designed for each venue, using a wide variety of materials to make objects that illustrate and tell the story of the residency. He stresses the importance of individuality, membership in a community, and the significance of a handmade object. Some residencies may result in a permanent installation. Mark also collaborates with performance artists to make sculptural stage sets for their productions. His work in schools is fun and energetic and designed to give individual attention to every student while illustrating the power and importance of group effort and the handmade object.

The importance of the Handmade object

In our culture and economy today, much is made of the mass produced ever-cheaper products made by who knows who or where. Those of us who make one of a kind objects by hand in our studios are a throwback to a slower, perhaps more personal connection with the object and its purpose.  This kind of work is often slow and intentional.  That slowness allows for a real relationship with the material and the maker.   I feel an energy, a spirit in wood, perhaps its life force and that life energy continues.  I attempt to create objects that contain the spirit of the materials , the spirit of the maker and, when possible, true intention. It is my personal connection with the craft and the material that is contained in each thing I make.

If I make A talisman, a shield, a toy, or a crib for a newly born child, of course it is important that I use all my skills to create a very special object, but my focus is on the child and the celebration of that life. The intent that I place into the work connects to the very real reason the work is created.

teachers

I work primarily alone in my studio yet there beside me are all the teachers I ever had and all the influences, heritage, and standards that fine craft contains.

I studied and later worked with Daniel Valenza at the University of New Hampshire and his attention to design and excellence in craft is embedded in my philosophy of work. Likewise, another teacher and friend, Jon Brooks, who I apprenticed with in 1987, continues to influence the way I think, design, and work with an emphasis on experimentation and discovery to find what the materials have to say  and what  my response is to it.

Wharton Esherick, Isamu Noguchi, Constatine Brancusi, Modiglianni and others are important influences on my vision of things. I have been fortunate to have worked with many contemporary artists, friends of mine who help to keep the context of our journeys relevant and honest  Just as importantly are the nameless makers of very personal and useful objects found in museums with labels like "Axe-12th century Siberia" or "Ritual object- Nigeria 18th century", who made very personalized objects for practical function containing as well the magic, spirit,  beliefs, and hopes of the maker.The personal lives of all these makers may be forgotten but their work, the spirit of their work transcends time and touches me, showing me the connection of my work to a larger continuum of intentional object making.