James Thurman & Umut Demigüç Thurman

James Thurman & Umut Demigüç Thurman
Küçük situla, 2020
Cold formed copper, enamel, Thurmanite
1.75×1.75×2″
$250

Small-Scale Metal Spinning / November 7 – 12, 2021 (James Thurman)
Small Enameled Vessels / November 7 – 12, 2021 (Umut Demigüç Thurman)

Artist Statement:
James and Umut are partners, both in their marriage as well as their collaborative studio work. James has a background in sculpture and metalsmithing that have led to the creation of Thurmanite®, a layered paper-resin composite material he uses in much of his work. Umut has a background in textile design, metalsmithing, and enameling which all manifest themselves in her studio work and design. Collaboratively, they create a wide variety of work, from wearables to home furnishings. Their newest body of work unites the Thurmanite® with enameled components into new and exciting combinations.

Artist Bios:
Umut Demirgüç Thurman – Umut Demirgüç Thurman teaches jewelry and metalsmithing as adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, Denton. She has an MFA from the University of North Texas in Metalsmithing and Jewelry, and a BFA from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul, Turkey in Textile Design. Thurman exhibits her artwork in solo and group exhibitions and teaches metals and jewelry workshops in the U.S. and Turkey.

James Thurman – James Thurman is an associate professor and program coordinator of Metalsmithing and Jewelry at the University of North Texas in Denton. Since earning his MFA in Metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art, he has incorporated metal spinning, wood turning and metalsmithing into his studio practice to create a wide range of tableware and jewelry. Thurman has taught workshops in metalsmithing and woodturning across the country as well as in Japan and Turkey.