Stefan Rurak has created a custom fireplace surround in his signature patinated steel paintings. Visually, the work marries elements of minimalism and abstract expressionism. Flat planes of hand-patinated steel read as moody takes on color field painting with areas populated with splashes and stains before being finished with oil and buffed wax. Rurak’s unique vision and process stems from a diverse range of media while merging fine art aesthetics, modern conceptual design, and traditional, hand-made craftsmanship techniques. “The work is largely process oriented, he states, “Increasingly I became aware that the mediums I was drawn to, such as silkscreen printing and film photography were really a pursuit of a craft that relied on a skillset as well as a system of tools.”

Working with a variety of materials – wood, cast concrete, and steel –  Rurak draws no distinction between art and design, creating both purely aesthetic and fully functional. Each work conveys movement, action, or intuition.