Dennis Flannery

Artist Statement

Oak Park Shaker Mission Statement


Form follows function is a principle of design associated with late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture and industrial design in general, which states that the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose.

The Shakers started selling chairs commercially as early as the 1790’s and had published their first design catalogs in the 1870’s. The Axiom of “Form Follows Function” was an inherent element of their philosophy long before it was recognized in the world of architecture and design. The Shakers masterfully integrated complex joinery into their furniture while maintaining the clean lined minimalist outward appearance.

Throughout my adult life, I have been drawn to the design philosophy of the Shakers. The clean lines easily cross over from simplistic to contemporary. I have endeavored to create pieces that are consistent with Shaker philosophy while appealing to today’s marketplace.