Masselink Nature Patterns Square Coasters, Set of 4

In 1931 Frank Lloyd Wright and his wife Olgivanna circulated a prospectus to an international group of distinguished scholars, artists, and friends, announcing their plan to form a school at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin to learn by doing. Eugene Masselink (1910-1962) came to the Taliesin Fellowship in 1933 with a degree in art and a desire to learn from Frank Lloyd Wright. He was one of Wright’s earliest apprentices at the Taliesin Fellowship. He soon became indispensable to Wright and acted not only as his personal secretary for over twenty years but also his designated muralist. He developed his own unique graphic style, using abstract natural forms, which was very compatible with Wright’s designs and philosophy.

Masselink’s time with the Taliesin Fellowship overlapped with the first three decades of the Fellowship and the last three decades of Wright’s life, which were undoubtedly his most prolific. Needless to say, Masselink was very busy assisting in Wright’s vision. During his off hours, Masselink found time to create artwork. He experimented with abstract line drawing studies using the three tools Wright used to create his designs- the T-square, the compass, and the triangle. Known as abstract pattern studies, the exercises developed by Masselink and others in the early years at Taliesin were produced through graphically reducing a natural form to an assemblage of geometric shapes and setting them onto an orthogonal or angular grid. Masselink wanted his art to be evaluated according to the nature behind it, not just the final aesthetic appearance.

Assorted set of 4 abstract geometric art coasters, one of each design. 4.25" square with cork backing. Comes in a printed box. Artist: E. B. Masselink®

Made in the USA.

A portion of this purchase price supports the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s work to inspire people to discover and embrace an architecture for better living through meaningful connections to nature, the arts, and each other. Your purchase also supports the preservation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings for future generations to enjoy.