NEW YORK.- Metal artist Donald Gratz, 68, died due to cancer. Donald Gratz was the owner of Gratz Industries, which had to do with deisgns of artists and architects such as Philip Johnson, Isamu Noguchi, Maya Lin, Richard Meier and Barnett Newman.
Donald Gratz had a degree in chemistry from St. Lawrence University. According to Lucy Minturn, and apprentice of Gratz Industries, Donald Gratz educated his clients about the properties of alloys and suggested the use of metals .
Gratz Industries was founded by Donald Gratz’s fater and a business partner. Donald Gratz enjoyed participating in the creative process with his clients.
In an interview for The New York Times Home Design Magazine at the beginning of the year, Donald Gratz said: “Somehow, the famous close up lose their aura. I’ve really never been intimidated by any of these people. But then they’re in my shop, on my turf — you know, home-field advantage."
Donald Gratz was born December 7, 1934. His father, Frank Gratz and Harold Treitel founded Treitel-Gratz in 1929. Among their initial commissions were the interiors for Radio City Music Hall in 1932.