Harold Greene
October 23 - January 6, 2012
Opening Reception: Sunday, October 30, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
In honor of the good work that Toberman Settlement house has done over the years, Harold Greene built two benches that were gifted to the Toberman Neighborhood Center and placed outside the food bank. As a child growing up in a neighborhood near the Tobberman (now call the Toberman Neighborhood Center) Greene and his siblings attended various festivals and fun events held around Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
One bench was called the "Bench of Gratitude" and the other the "Seat of Intent." The exhibition installation featured the benches placed in front of the gallery wall that displayed a collage of pictures of the Center with an overlay of text about its history and mission. Those attending the exhibit were encouraged to add to the first bench the name of a person or group to whom they are grateful by permanently stamping the bench with a set of letter dies. The second bench was stamped with the name of a person, group or cause that they intend to support in some way, transforming their gratitude into action.
BIOGRAPHY
Harold Greene, a former Angels Gate Cultural Center Studio Artist, has been designing and building furniture since 1975. His pieces can be found in a variety of settings, both residential and commercial. He recently delivered a Japanese-style cabinet in cherry, pear wood and beech with a massive black walnut slab to a client in Rancho Palos Verdes. A large cherry and curly maple display cabinet by Harold graces the lobby of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, just one of many commissioned works in public spaces in the greater Los Angeles area.
Harold's work was featured on the 2002 season opener of "Modern Masters," HGTV's weekly showcase of craftsmen from all corners of the nation. In the show Harold credits furniture makers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, such as the Greene brothers and the Stickley brothers, as a source of inspiration for his work. "From the very beginning I was drawn to the Craftsman style. I really like showing the joinery in the furniture I build." Recently, Harold was selected by the Port of Los Angeles to design and build seating for its Paseo Project, part of a $600,000,000 renovation of the LA Harbor.
This exhibition is sponsored in part by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, and the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council.