Damian Velasquez

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My awareness of furniture design was sparked while backpacking through Europe in the 1990's, as I passed window after window of Italian furniture stores. An intriguing world of color and form opened up to me at that instant. It was evident that design was much more than an idea. The images of those windows stayed with me after I returned home to finish my senior year in college. I learned to weld and started fabricating simple objects that could be used around the house. In 21 years, these everyday objects became more refined as my design and fabrication skills improved. My current line of furniture represents my passion for design and for creating beautiful furniture for daily living.
Damian Velasquez founded his furniture studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico after graduating from The University of New Mexico in 1990. Initially offering a small collection of steel beds and tables to local stores and clients, Damian slowly expanded his capabilities as he taught himself the skills used to produce his designs (metalworking, powder coating, woodworking, staining, and assembling objects). His designs evolved from stark, geometric, all-steel forms to singular pieces that combine steel, richly hued wood and other materials.
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

2010

“Albuquerque NOW” Winter | Albuquerque, Museum | Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Chair and Side Table”

2010

“New Mexico Furniture is Art” | National Hispanic Cultural Center | Albuquerque, New Mexico

2003

Permanent Collection | National Hispanic Cultural Center | Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Don’t Fall Down”

“Red Ling Chest” 

2002

“Red Ling Chest”  Commissioned for AHORA: Contemporary New Mexican Hispanic Art exhibition

National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

2001

Permanent Collection | Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Phat Squiggle End Table and Chair

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Baltimore ACC Craft Fair, Baltimore, MD

Scottsdale Arts Festival, Scottsdale, AZ

Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY

Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Reston, VA

International Contemporary Furniture Fair, New York, NY

Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines, IA

Ann Arbor Street Fair, The Original, Ann Arbor, MI

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO

Crested Butte Arts Festival, Crested Butte, CO

Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City, MO

St. Louis Art Fair, St. Louis, MO

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Philadelphia, PA

Washington Craft Fair, Washington, DC

PUBLICATIONS

Alibi | January 28, 2010

Local IQ | July 2008

Su Casa Magazine | March 2008

Midwest Living | February 2007

Latino Future Magazine | November 2006

Salon Today | June 2006

Maryland Life Magazine | January 2006

New Mexico Journey | July 2005

Local Flavor Magazine | April 2005

Albuquerque The Magazine | February 2005

Kansas City Home & Garden Magazine | January 2004