David Gootnick is a mixed media artist working principally with wood. His designs draw from kumiko—a uniquely Japanese art form developed roughly 1400 years ago, with his works being contemporary interpretations of this technique at the interface of art and design.

Gootnick respects traditional Japanese patterns while creating works with both modern and ancient motifs. Kumiko uses narrow pieces of wood to create intricate geometric patterns. His compositions are made of hundreds, in many cases more than a thousand individual pieces of wood. He seeks to broaden the exposure to kumiko among artists, artisans, and the broader public. There are few examples of this form outside of Japan, and very few artists working in this tradition in North America.

50 for 50 is an artist opportunity that invites 50 community artists to showcase their work at Touchstone throughout 2026, the year of Touchstone’s 50th anniversary.

Artist Bio: Originally from Rochester, NY, David Gootnick has lived in Boston, New York, and currently resides in Washington, DC. David’s first artistic studies were at the College of Art and Design in Rochester, NY. David has a BA in Art History from Harvard University. In 2015 David began to study kumiko and finds it a fulfilling way to blend traditional Japanese artistry with contemporary design. He is attracted to kumiko’s intricate patterns, its emphasis on symmetry, and the interaction of geometry and art. His work demands focus; he finds it to be an exercise in precision and efficiency of movement.

David’s studio, which he designed and built himself, is an extension of his approach to the work; it is a place of contemplation and peace. David has exhibited at the Chautauqua Visual Arts Gallery, the Wharton Esherick Museum and the Trenton City museum, among others and has had solo exhibitions at the Parthenon in Nashville, TN, the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland, the Arts Club of Washington DC among others.