Artist Spotlight: Frank Lloyd Wright

Today (June 8th) in 1867, American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator, Frank Lloyd Wright was born. Even while his mother carried him, she believed he would become an architect. Little did she know, he would go on to become one of the most brilliant and sought after in American history, even being named the American Institute of Architects’ “greatest American architect of all time.”
During his career, spanning over seven decades, Wright designed 1,114 architectural works (532 were realized) including Falling Water, Taliesin West and the Guggenheim Museum. Warren County actually boasts one of Wright's designs as well.
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." Wright had a spiritual and romantic view of nature. This philosophy was the basis of all his work and can be seen throughout his designs. "The good building is not one that hurts the landscape, but one which makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built."
In a time of heavy pollution due fossil fuel emissions, destruction of once preserved land for immediate gain, floating islands of trash in the ocean, and the of re-evaluation of what constitutes an "endangered species," Wright's views and designs are more relevant than ever.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."


Other Frank Lloyd Wright facts:

• His mother decorated his childhood nursery with engravings of English cathedrals.
• In 1909, Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney eloped, abandoning their spouses, children, and lives (including Wright's practice) to spend a year together in Europe.
• In 1914, while Wright was away on business, a disgruntled servant at Taliesin set the structure’s living quarters on fire before murdering seven of the home’s residents, including Mamah Borthwick Cheney.
• Wright distained other architects and refused to join the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
• Wright became the father to the modern Ranch house when he was asked to design an inexpensive home for America's  troops and the families they wished to start, following the events of World War II.
• Though little documentation exists, it is said that Wright designed dresses for his wife Olgivanna and others.
• Wright was an avid car collector. This influenced the ramp design of his final design, the Guggenheim.