James Libero Prestini (January 13, 1908 – July 26, 1993) was an American sculptor, designer and woodworker.

Early life and education

He was born on January 13, 1908, in Waterford, Connecticut. He graduated as a mechanical engineer from Yale University in 1930. In 1933 he began teaching mathematics at Lake Forest Academy.

Career

James held the post of professor of design at the University of California, Berkeley from 1956 to 1975. He was known for his art of crafting wood into thin bowls and platters, having qualities similar to that of glass or ceramics. He made over 400 sculptures throughout his career. His work is held in the collections of the

Smithsonian American Art Museum The Smithsonian American Art Museum (commonly known as SAAM, and formerly the National Museum of American Art) is a museum in Washington, D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution. Together with its branch museum, the Renwick Gallery, SAAM holds o ...

, the Museum of Modern Art and the

Art Institute of Chicago The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago's Grant Park, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 mill ...

Death

He died of heart failure on July 26, 1993.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prestini, James 1908 births 1993 deaths 20th-century American sculptors 20th-century American male artists American woodworkers People from Waterford, Connecticut American male sculptors University of California, Berkeley faculty Yale University alumni American designers Sculptors from Connecticut Lake Forest Academy Schoolteachers from Connecticut Schoolteachers from Illinois Sculptors from California