Joinery, Joists and Gender: A History of Woodworking for the 21st Century

Joinery, Joists, and Gender: A History of Woodworking for the 21st Century is the first publication to survey the long and rich histories of women and gender non-conforming persons who work in wood. It provides an accessible and insightful entry into the histories, practices, and lived experiences of women and nonbinary makers in woodworking, with 200 full-color images, both historical and contemporary.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Joinery, Joists, and Gender: A History of Woodworking for the 21st Century is a groundbreaking publication that delves into the extensive and remarkable histories of women and gender non-conforming individuals who engage in woodworking. Authored with craft practitioners, design students, and readers interested in the intersections of gender and labor history in mind, this comprehensive book boasts an impressive array of 200 full-color images, spanning both historical and contemporary perspectives. It serves as an accessible and insightful entry point into the rich tapestry of histories, practices, and lived experiences of women and nonbinary makers in woodworking.

In the first half of the book, the author presents a woodworking history primarily focused on Europe and the United States, highlighting the practical and philosophical challenges that have shaped women's participation in the field. Extensive research is conducted on a diverse range of practitioners, including Lady Yun and Adina White. This historical backdrop sets the stage for the subsequent chapters, which feature sixteen in-depth profiles of contemporary woodworkers. Each of these artisans identifies fine woodworking as their principal vocation, and the book employs studio visits, interviews, and photographs of space and process to unravel the diverse practices and contributions these artisans make to our understanding of wood as a medium for addressing spatial, material, aesthetic, and even existential challenges.

The beautifully illustrated profiles featured in the book showcase a diverse range of talented woodworkers. Wendy Maruyama, one of the first women to earn an MFA in woodworking in the United States, is featured, along with Sarah Marriage, the founder of Baltimores A Workshop of Our Own, a woodshop and educational space exclusively dedicated to women and gender non-conforming makers. Yuri Kobayashi, known for his sublime work that blurs the boundaries between art, craft, sculpture, and furniture, is also profiled, as is Folayemi Wilson, whose work draws equally on African American history and Afrofuturism to explore and illuminate the ways in which furniture and wood traditions intersect.

Through these captivating profiles and immersive narratives, Joinery, Joists, and Gender: A History of Woodworking for the 21st Century offers a profound exploration of the past, present, and future of woodworking as a field that has been shaped by the diverse experiences and contributions of women and gender non-conforming individuals. It serves as a valuable resource for craft practitioners, design students, and anyone with an interest in the intersections of gender, labor, and creativity, providing a rich tapestry of insights and inspiration for the 21st century.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367363406