Daniel Gruetter is a woodworker based in Toronto, Canada. He was born and raised in Bella Coola, a remote community nestled in British Columbia’s coast mountains. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in History in 2010.
Daniel makes thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted furniture and objects that are of a specific terroir. These objects reflect the land and history they come from, and aim to put our current landscape into an historical context. His work is an expression of a deeply rooted appreciation for community and the natural environment. He strives to make pieces that resonate with people, invite interaction, and promote the valuing of regional craft, identities, and natural materials, with the ultimate goal of cultivating these practices at a local level in order to support communities and celebrate their unique capacities and histories.
Daniel has worked with local and international artists, architects, and designers to provide finely made furniture and objects for a wide variety of contexts from private homes to commercial spaces and hospitality enterprises. He provides design services, as well as batch production and custom woodwork.
Exhibitions
2021 - Arboreal - Craft Ontario
2020 - Firmament - Paul Petro Contemporary Art - A collaboration with Stephen Andrews
2020 - Mass Wasting - Craft Ontario - Group exhibition
2019 - Polytope - DesignTO Festival
2018 - Lineage - DesignTO Festival
2014 - Sleep Shapes - Design X Nature
2014 - Long Winter Takeover, Featured Artist, AGO First Thursdays
Bibliography
2021 - The Globe and Mail - Designing Canada 2021
2021 - Designlines - 5 Toronto Woodworkers making Heirloom Quality Wares
2021 - Toronto Star - Let one of Toronto’s most stylish people show you the five locally made home decor pieces you need
2020 - Refinery29 - The Home Decor Trends Taking Over in 2020
2019 - Design Lines - A Toronto-Made Time Capsule
2019 - Canadian Interiors - DesignTO 2019
2019 - Toronto Life - This Toronto photographer shoots the city’s quirkiest living rooms - Featured commission
2019 - Design Chronicle - Polytope - A creative collaboration between David Lister and Daniel Gruetter
2014 - Azure Magazine - 7 Great Furnishings Made With Recycled Wood
2014 - The Globe and Mail - Jungle gym or functional furniture? Sleep Shapes win Design by Nature
Grants / Awards
2021 - Canada Arts Council - Research and Creation Grant
2020 - Toronto Arts Council - Individual Visual Arts Grant
2019 - DesignTO Festival - People's Choice: Favourite New Work - Polytope
2014 - Sleep Shapes - Design X Nature