David A. Wade: Continuing the Legacy

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Creating fine woodwork for more than 25 years, David worked side by side with Sam Maloof honing his skills. As WadeMade, he carries on this extraordinary tradition while expressing his own design sense with his "tribute to Maloof" and by incorporating re-purposed industrial objects.

From an early age, David was known to be "good with his hands." His boy scout troop leaders and school report cards noted his interest and talent for arts and crafts. David's hands were always busy exploring car culture, making jewelry, working with metal, and finally, working with wood. While making an elaborate clock in his high school Shop class, a fellow student told David that he ought to meet her grandfather, renowned woodworker Sam Maloof.

David Wade in the studio

David slowly worked his way into Sam's workshop, doing everything from raking leaves and sweeping out the studio. He was given more and more responsibilities."It was like The Karate Kid," David jokes. He eventually worked his way up to being one of Sam's three assistants, and worked closely with the master craftsman for 20 years.

Although the "Maloof flair" is intrinsically tied up with David's aesthetic, he brings his own artistic voice to sumptuous wood design. His design sense goes back to his love of car culture and ties in with his admiration of mixed media and assemblage.

Clockwise, from left: Side Table; Cutting Board; EnoCraft wine display

A key element in David's design is the combination of wood and metal. The contrast of the warmth of the wood and the coolness of the metal create a comfortable tension. Aircraft and industrial parts are given a new lease on life by being re-purposed as table bases and feet structure. That Maloof influence is never far away, appearing in the fine quality of woodcraft, softly sweeping lines and satiny finishes. David also credits his mother's Old World Dutch roots as an influence on his creativity.

Cocobolo Stool

In addition to hands-on training at the Maloof Studios, David also studied carpentry and woodworking technology and received formal training at Cal State Fullerton, where he studied under Frank E. Cummings. His years of creative collaboration with Mike Johnson, Larry White and Sam Maloof served to instill in him an unparallelled work ethic developed to meet the demands of his mentor. "It was an honor and a privilege to work with Sam," David says. Likening the workshop to an Olympic training center, he and the rest of the team were always kept on their toes. In David's mind, they made some of the world's best furniture.

Meet David and his woodwork on Friday, September 19 from 5-9pm at Chemers Gallery! While you're here, don't forget to stroll Enderle Center to enjoy music of the 50's, 60's and 70's performed by Ricardo Valenzuela & Friends, rounding out the Enderle Center Summer Concert Series.