Civilization.ca - Bronfman Collection

2000 RECIPIENT

Peter Fleming — Furniture designer and maker

Toronto — Ontario

Writing Desk (detail), 1997
European Beech and cast bronze
73.5 x 137 x 73.5 cm
Bronfman Collection CMC
2001.47.2

Photograph: Andrew Leyerle

Peter Fleming is a major, highly respected Canadian furniture maker whose speculative and commissioned works reflect the blending of a personal aesthetic, imaginative use of contemporary and traditional materials and superb craftsmanship. At times whimsical, at others classically restrained, Fleming's pieces also reveal his ability to link a highly developed sensibility for design with a strong commitment to function.

Selection Committee

Peter Fleming is a designer and maker of furniture who produces both client commissioned work, and self generated pieces of furniture for exhibition. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Fleming is a graduate of the School of Craft and Design, Sheridan College, Mississauga, Ontario, and of Humber College, Toronto, Ontario.

Fleming's work, primarily in wood with elements of cast and fabricated metal, stone and glass, is characterized by the juxtaposition of refined technique and unconventional form. It has received awards from the Métiers d'art du Québec, the Ontario Crafts Council, and the Ontario Arts Council, among others.

Fleming has exhibited across Canada and in the United States, China and Japan. In addition, Fleming's work can be found in private and corporate collections including the collection of Adrienne Clarkson, Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada; Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt, Toronto; The City of Toronto, and the Ontario Crafts Council.

Fleming was Chair of the Co-ordination Committee for "Furniture 2000, Old and New Communities", the fourth annual conference of the Furniture Society held in Toronto in June. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Crafts Council. He was a member of the steering committee of the Institute of Contemporary Canadian Craft which held its second symposium in March of 1997 in Montreal, and is chair of the Board of Directors of the Wood Studio, a non-profit co-operative for woodworking in downtown Toronto.

Over the past ten years Fleming has developed and taught courses in furniture design for two interior design programmes and is currently a part time faculty member in the Furniture Programme of the School of Crafts and Design at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario.

Peter Fleming lives and maintains his studio in Toronto, Ontario.