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Artist: Gary Wolfe ( United States ) -
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Main Category: Furniture
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Genres: Abstract Expressionism, Contemporary American Art
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Biography: Restaurant designer Gary Wolfe understands the art of being in the right place at the right time. The native Virginian, a painter and sculptor by training, moved to Milwaukee in the mid-'80s - and soon found himself in the vanguard of a new Brew Town attitude about eating out. "When I moved here, it was very much a meat and potatoes town," says Wolfe, who founded Oh Monah Design in 1991. "And the ethnic dining in Milwaukee did look like ethnic dining: red checkered tablecloths and drippy candles on the table at Italian restaurants, for example. . . . I was fortunate enough to start my business about the time Milwaukee restaurants grew up." Wolfe's projects have included the elegant neoclassical touches at Mimma's Cafe, the brightly hued "equatorial" theme of La Perla's decor, and the cheeky, off-kilter faux shanty of Crabby Al's Seafood Shack. He designed Sam & Jean's Grotto in Racine, where an underwater reef and celestial diorama evoke owners' interests in both diving and astrology. He also designed the swank Apollo Cafe on Brady St. Along with all this Wolfe, now residing in Racine, WI, is designing contemporary furniture and hand blown glass lighting.
"It's a great living, and I have a great time," says Wolfe.
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