The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs by Ray Hemachandra

500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs, edited by Ray Hemachandra, offers both the aficionado and the casual reader a panoramic survey of seating as a sculptural, functional, and cultural artefact. Structured into thematic chapters—ranging from “Frameworks of Form” to “Innovations in Materiality”—the volume showcases five centuries of chair design, from the humble Windsor to … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Chairs: Celebrating Traditional & Innovative Designs by Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Cabinets: A Showcase of Design & Craftsmanship, edited Ray Hemachandra

In 500 Cabinets: A Showcase of Design & Craftsmanship, editor Ray Hemachandra orchestrates an exquisite symphony of form, function, and fantasy, offering a sumptuous visual anthology that redefines the cabinet not merely as a utilitarian object but as a philosophical and artistic proposition. Published as part of Lark Books’ renowned “500 Series,” this volume succeeds not … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Cabinets: A Showcase of Design & Craftsmanship, edited Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style edited by Ray Hemachandra

In 500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style, edited by Ray Hemachandra, the notion of the table—a ubiquitous, often-overlooked element of domestic and civic life—is elevated into a platform for the interrogation of function, form, and metaphor. This volume, part of Lark Books’ lauded "500 Series," is more than a visual catalogue of exquisite craftsmanship; … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Tables: Inspiring Interpretations of Function and Style edited by Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Raku: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique, Edited by Ray Hemachandra

Ray Hemachandra’s 500 Raku: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique is more than a visual catalogue—it is a philosophical document. As part of the “500 Series” published by Lark Books, this volume continues the series’ tradition of curatorial excellence, presenting a collection of works that not only celebrate a specific craft but also probe the limits … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Raku: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique, Edited by Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Masters: Blown Glass: Curated by Susan Rossi-Wilcox and edited by Ray Hemachandra

Before delving into detailed analysis, this review establishes that Masters: Blown Glass: Major Works by Leading Artists(2010) is a seminal survey of forty studio‐glass practitioners from North America, Europe, and Asia, curated by Susan Rossi-Wilcox and edited by Ray Hemachandra, which foregrounds the conceptual breadth and technical virtuosity of contemporary blown glass. The volume’s generous format—330 … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – Masters: Blown Glass: Curated by Susan Rossi-Wilcox and edited by Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – The Penland Book of Glass: Master Classes in Framework Techniques, Edited by Ray Hemachandra

The Penland Book of Glass: Master Classes in Framework Techniques by Ray Hemachandra is a magisterial contribution to contemporary glass artistry, offering both a panoramic survey of framework methods and an intimate glimpse into the creative processes of some of today’s most innovative practitioners. Hemachandra, himself a seasoned educator at the storied Penland School of Crafts, … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – The Penland Book of Glass: Master Classes in Framework Techniques, Edited by Ray Hemachandra

The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form by Ray Hemachandra

Ray Hemachandra’s 500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form situates the humble vase at the intersection of functional craft and high art. By juxtaposing a broad array of contemporary practitioners—from established maestros to emerging voices—Hemachandra underscores the vase’s enduring capacity to inspire innovation. As a reference work, it collects photographic documentation of five hundred distinct forms … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review – 500 Vases: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Form by Ray Hemachandra