Peter Kuh: Celebrating a Master Craftsman and Educator
Peter Kuh, a distinguished furniture maker, craftsman, and educator, has died at the age of 74. Renowned for his ability to weave together cultural, artistic, tactile, and personal elements, he created a legacy through elegant music stands, intricate jewellery boxes, and timeless custom-made furniture.
Early Life and Inspirations
Born and raised in Highland Park, Illinois, in the United States, Peter was the son of Peter Sr, a lawyer from a German-Jewish family, and Frederica (nee Coerr), a teacher from a southern family. His passion for furniture making was ignited while studying architecture at Kansas University, setting the foundation for his future career.
Love and Career Beginnings
In 1972, Peter met Diana Lewin, a Cambridge economics student working as an au pair for his elder sister on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their love flourished, and while Diana completed her studies, Peter trained with Charles Webb Furniture in Boston. The couple married on Martha’s Vineyard in 1974 and relocated to Vermont, where Peter honed his skills under the master craftsman Simon Watts.
Move to Devon and Professional Growth
Following the repeal of a law that had previously barred British women from bringing their spouses to the UK in 1975, Peter and Diana moved to Devon, a vibrant hub for creators associated with the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. Peter further refined his craft by training with the esteemed furniture designer-maker Alan Peters before establishing his own workshop. Concurrently, Diana embarked on a research career in epidemiology. In 1979, Peter gained wider recognition by appearing on the BBC children’s series Play School from his workshop at Otterton Mill near Sidmouth.
Artistic Achievements and Teaching Legacy
Despite modest earnings and long hours, Peter’s furniture-making progress was stellar. Articles in Woodworker magazine praised the sculptural quality of his creations, which blended American traditions with the Arts and Crafts movement. By 1987, he began teaching at Ryecotewood, the furniture-making and craft college in Oxfordshire. After moving with Diana and their children to Buckinghamshire, Peter joined the Ryecotewood faculty full-time. He led the fine woodworking course, developed and managed the HND course for B-Tech in fine woodworking and design, and initiated an exchange programme with Germany for successive generations of students. His influence was so profound that by the 2000s, more than half of the exhibitors at the Society of Designer Craftsmen’s annual Celebration of British Craftsmanship in Cheltenham were his former students.
Later Years and Personal Life
After leaving Ryecotewood, Peter continued to exhibit his work and teach short courses. In 2012, he was elected to membership of the Artworkers Guild. His active retirement in Sidmouth included pursuits such as cycling, gig rowing, and travelling. However, this period was cut short when he was diagnosed with a rare heart cancer in 2021. Thanks to excellent treatment from the NHS, he made a remarkable recovery, granting him a few more precious years. This included a joyous celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary. Peter is survived by his wife Diana, their children Nick and Ellie, and three grandchildren, Finn, Owen, and Martha.
