A. Andrew Chulyk's "scultped" boxes featured at crafts fair (11/10/02)

A. Andrew Chulyk's "scultped" boxes featured at crafts fair

KITTERY, Maine - "When people ask me where I get the inspiration for my boxes, I usually answer with a story about my Ukrainian heritage and how my early ancestors lived near an old 12th century trade route," said A. Andrew Chulyk. "Perhaps the images of exotic objects brought by caravans passing through their village along with the stories of faraway and mysterious places somehow got locked into their genetic memory and now bubbles up, generations later, into my creative thinking process. Who knows ..."

Mr. Chulyk's boxes, although functional, have a sculptural quality that allows them to be admired just for their form and integration of color. The larger boxes are constructed in layers or stacking sections and may have up to five separate storage areas.

"I feel that my boxes are more sculpted than assembled. Once the initial form is machined everything is laboriously hand-sanded to maintain detail of form and fit. This hand sanding continues right up to the final coat of paint. The result is a smooth and flawless finish that allows the form and color to become one. Many times I'm asked what material the box is made from and at a distance is often mistaken for metal. Their smoothness invites touch. Their color evokes serenity."

In 1994, Mr. Chulyk started Studio Maxima and began creating fanciful boxes, marketing them to craft galleries in Boston and New York. In 1997 he was accepted into the American Craft Council Mentor Program and was awarded booth space at their Columbus, Ohio show. He has since continued to exhibit at the ACC Baltimore Winter and Summer shows.

In 1998 he was invited to exhibit work in a national invitational box show at the Del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles and was featured in the December 1998 issue of American Style magazine in an article titled, "Treasured Boxes." The Del Mano Gallery selected his boxes again for 1999 and 2000 invitational box exhibitions. His work is featured on Guild.com, has been shown in Metropolitan Home magazine, a variety of Guild catalogues and was invited to be in the July 2002 artistic accents section of Home Decor Buyer. In August of 2002 his boxes were selected by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for its museum store.

Mr. Chulyk, born in 1948 in Salem, Mass., is a self-taught artist/designer and sculptor. As a designer he has received numerous awards for his innovative product and packaging concepts, and his work has appeared in both print and communication arts magazines.

He maintains a studio in Kittery, Maine, and lives in Portsmouth, N.H., with his wife, Sue, and their cat, Lacy.

Mr. Chulyk's most recent exhibit was at the Morristown CraftMarket held October 25-27 at the National Guard Armory in Morristown, N.J.

Mr. Chulyk's works range in price from $130 to $400. For further information e-mail studiomaxima@mindspring.com or call (978) 372-8484.

"Memories" are source of inspiration

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