Max-Macsai Kaplan
Furniture Design/Woodworking
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Morgantown, WV. It is a town that lies just south of the Pennsylvania border. It was the middle of rolling mountains that was mostly forested. I lived there until I was 9, at which point I moved to the suburbs of Chicago.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue art making as a career?
I have been surrounded by artists my entire life. My grandmother is an avid quilt maker, my grandfather was an architect and paints with watercolors. Many of my other family members are art makers, restorers, educators. While I have always been surrounded by art and art making, I had an internal issue being a maker/artist myself. For a long time I struggled with exclusively making art. Throughout high school and college I slowly became more ok with my desires and goals as an artist.
How did you find out about Anderson Ranch Arts Center?
In college I had one professor who was as much a guru as an amazing educator, Tim Berg. He had done a residency here a decade plus ago. His description made me feel that I would love this place and gain greatly from my time here.
What are you working on during your residency?
I am hoping to work on a variety of pieces that incorporate different approaches and materials into furniture. Currently, I am working on a sideboard that plays with light and self-grown materials.
When do you make art in your studio?
I try to get studio time whenever is possible. It seems that is basically most every day. I have, however, in recent years been better in touch with my own need to stop. I have found that when I am exhausted, my work suffers, and breaks and nights off are necessary.
How is the food?
I think Geri is planning on spit-roasting me in May. I don’t know another reason why she would be fattening me up so much.
How can we find you on social media and the web?
macsaikaplan.com
Instagram: @macsaikaplan
