Bellevue Arts Museum: George Nelson

George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher

October 29, 2011 - February 12, 2012

"… the most ambitious design exhibition hosted at a local institution since… 2005." -- Gayle Clemans, The Seattle Times

"… pure furniture porn for mid-century modernists." -- Brian Miller, Seattle Weekly

See the George Nelson exhibit featured on King 5's Evening Magazine >

Watch Curator Nora Atkinson discuss the prolific work of George Nelson on Seattle Channel's Art Zone >

Reaching the height of his career in the mid-20th century, George Nelson (1908 - 1986) undoubtedly numbers among the founding figures of American design. Trained as an architect, Nelson made his mark not only as a designer but as an acclaimed writer, lecturer, exhibition designer and passionate photographer. His deliberations on questions of domestic living and the modern home and office set benchmarks in the field. As design director for Herman Miller, Nelson invented numerous classics of modern furniture and interior design. Featuring more than 220 objects, including furniture, lamps, clocks, graphic works, architectural models, films, prints and a full-scale partial reconstruction of the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow, this retrospective renders a comprehensive portrait of Nelson and his many activities, acknowledging his prominent position in the world of design over nearly four decades.

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George Nelson
American National Exhibition, Moscow, 1959

Photo: Vitra Design Museum Archive

Organized by the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany. Generously sponsored by Herman Miller with additional support from The Boeing Company, The Bellevue Collection, Olson Kundig Architects, ArtsFund and the Guendolen Carkeek Plestcheef Fund for the Decorative and Design Arts. Local presentation curated by Nora Atkinson.