When you look at all the things Ross Lunz has pursued in his life, the words danger, risk, passion and compassion come to mind. From his time on board commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea fishing for salmon in Russia and Alaska, to using his carpentry skills to help Kobe, Japan rebuild after a devastating earthquake, to his search and rescue efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and his many years working as a firefighter in the NOFD, every experience, every trauma he witnessed comes through in his craft. Ross Lunz takes the burned up, discarded objects, remnants of disaster or simply the wear and tear of time, and turns them into both functional and sculptural works of art.
He holds a BFA in Metalsmithing and Painting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and an MFA with a focus on Metalsmithing from the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
What drew you to your chosen craft?
I love the contrast in the refined nature of metalworking combined with the raw physicality of furniture making. I’m trained as a silversmith, and bring an “attention to detail” sensibility to most of my creative endeavors.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
What do you enjoy most about your craft? A hand skill is a limitless opportunity to learn and be stimulated on so many levels. The mundane does not exist in the studio. Focusing on my craft is an opportunity to slow down and connect with something familiar…like visiting with a friend.
Why is it important for people to make things with their own hands?
When we let machines make everything, we forget where we come from. We are not machines. We are of Nature.
In what ways are handmade goods better than those that are mass produced?
Each handmade object bears the mark of the maker which gives it soul. It’s difficult to find soul in the mass-produced. In a world that is ever more dependent on the astringent touch of technology the handmade object brings us back down to earth. The handmade re-connects us with our human-ness
What does the future hold for your type of work?
The deeper our culture ventures into the virtual reality and technology-based worlds, the stronger the need will be for the handmade object. I look forward to the opportunity to address the need for the handcrafted.