EDWARD WORMLEY
Evan Lobel
Rare photograph from Wormley Archive at Lobel Modern
Edward Wormley was born in 1907 and studied briefly at the Art Institute of Chicago. When money ran out he went to work as an interior designer for the Marshall Fields & Co department store. During the Depression Wormley was introduced to the president of Dunbar Furniture Corporation of Berne, Indiana which at the time was making old style reproduction furniture. They hired Wormley in the 1930’s to see how the public would respond to more modern pieces. From the start, his pieces were a hit. A devotee to meticulous craftsmanship, he would create some of the most memorable pieces of the mid-20th century. His pieces were elegant, understated and exceptionally well-made. Wormley was never really at the forefront of Modern design. Instead, he took the best elements from classical, historical design and translated them into Modern vernacular. The result was furniture that was sophisticated, yet mainstream and very successful. Wormley's inclusion in the Good Design Exhibitions staged by the Museum of Modern Art and the Merchandise Mart between 1950 and 1955 elevated him to a respected place alongside more cutting edge designers like Bertoia, Nelson and Eames. Wormley understood the essential elements of Modernism but never limited himself to one ideology. His furniture represented a convergence of historical design and 20th century innovation that greatly appeals to today's collectors. He died in 1995.
Photo from the Wormley Archive at Lobel Modern. Notations hand-written by Edward Wormley. This photo is inscribed "My first chair"
Photo from Wormley Archive at Lobel Modern. This photo is inscribed "World's first foam rubber chair - 1938"
Photo from Wormley Archive at Lobel Modern