Donald Friedlich

CONTEMPORARY PRECIOUS
Madison, WI

Donald Friedlich has a passion for design and a refined sense of style that seeks to achieve maximum impact with the least number of lines. Each angle and curve is carefully considered, with an eye for the sensual. He has worked in non-precious stone as well as glass over the years, sometimes accenting them with a diamond or precious metals like gold. His most recent work is often entirely made from glass, and has traveled in sometimes quite unorthodox directions, such as his series reproducing fruits and vegetables. This subtle sense of humor is part of Don’s great charm.

My mother was good friends with Donald, and she would often stop by his booth to view his new explorations and to catch up on life. Hearing Donald animatedly retell the latest line of work to her, and her laughter and appreciation, is a fond memory. In this brooch, which was featured on the cover of Ornament Volume 22.1, we see his ability to take a non-precious material, such as slate, and through skilled carving fashion it into an object of grace and beauty. After showing it on the cover, my mother purchased this brooch from Donald, having obviously been taken by its rare presence.