Adiante Franszoon | The Art of Carving
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Adiante Franszoon was born in the interior of Suriname near the Brazilian border. The son of a tribal leader, he was raised in the Saamacca Maroon tribe, in one of the many communities established by former slaves who moved from the coast of Suriname to the Amazon rain forest in the early 1700s.
He learned to carve when he was a young boy growing up in the village of Dangogo. Adiante came to the United States in the early 1970s to get an American education. He presently resides in Baltimore, Maryland where he carries on the traditional Maroon carving of his ancestors.
Adiante says,
My goal is to incorporate the Saramacca Maroon style of woodcarving into the contemporary western style of furniture making. I want to make unique objects that my clients will consider heirlooms to hand down to their children.
When they speak of my work, they can tell about how each object was crafted, because when I am commissioned to create a piece, I collaborate closely with the client in the decision making process. We work together to create the design, select the wood, and consider the form and function of each object.
I use the finest woods, such as mahogany and tropical cedar because of their strength and beauty, and high quality re-purposed woods when available. Each object becomes unique to the desires of the individual. I use pegs and traditional joinery - no screws or nails.
Custom designed mirror and picture frames, cabinets, coffee tables, hall tables, carved doors, wall hangings, molding and chairs, are some of my most popular items.
Although Adiante is highly in demand, no job is too big or too small. He is always open to new projects and commissions for work to be displayed in public places.
Adiante's work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, the Black History Museum in Richmond, Virginia and elsewhere.
Adiante also gives lectures on Suriname Maroon history and culture.
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MY JOURNEY IN A GLIMPSE
