AWR Studio Furniture 2018: Meet the Entrants 2

This year Australian Wood Review in partnership with Bungendore Wood Works Gallery will produce the third of its AWR Studio Furniture exhibitions.

Designer makers all over the world are invited to enter by uploading six images of past work and include a short bio in the "Entry Description field". There is an $80 fee to enter. Shortlisted entrants will be invited to exhibit at AWR Studio Furniture 2018 at Bungendore Wood Works Gallery. The exhibition opens Oct 20, 2018 and runs until Jan 31, 2019.

Here is the second in a series of updates introducing our fantastic entrants.

Ben Percy, NSW

Ben Percy believes great design is functional, beautiful, sustainable and also individual. Inspired by nature and driven by perfectionism, Ben’s biggest goal for his furniture is making people comfortable. His appreciation and understanding of the innate qualities of timber is almost palpable and his handcrafted furniture showcases both the timber and his adept skill at handling it. By analysing the grain, cut and tone of each board, each and every component is not only beautiful but serves a purpose—nothing is hidden. His furniture is a fluent expression of this process and it reflects his succinct design aesthetic that Ben defines as “clean lines and good bones.”

Jamie Pappas, Qld

My long-time involvement in the restoration of antique furniture has provided a stepping stone to designing and building pieces in period style, usually with an English Regency or French Empire influence. They began as personal projects and then progressed to commissions from clients whose antiques I had already restored. Authentic materials and specific construction techniques are incorporated into all the designs. Quality veneers and marquetry, particularly brass inlay, are aspects of the work. In restoring German Biedermeier furniture, I was drawn to the simplicity of beautifully figured book – matched veneers – the Biedermeier main feature – and this became an important design influence. All these main features highlight the details of original antiques, and are therefore essential in order to meet the requirements of clients when new pieces have to harmonise with and complement their existing collections. Herein lies the challenge! See classicantiquerestoration.com.au

Warwick Wright, NSW

One of the most rewarding experiences of being a professional designer maker is working collaboratively with clients from inception of the design to the finished furniture for their home or office. The other side of my practice is designing and making items for galleries and exhibitions. This provides the opportunity to explore new designs and techniques. My practice is based on the south coast of New South Wales with its beautiful beaches, rivers and coastal walks which provide a welcome break when not working in the studio/workshop. See www.grainwoodworks.com.au

Douglas Maloney, Vic

Douglas Maloney’s career in the furniture making and the timber industry has spanned 10 years. In this time, he has worked in a variety of roles for several accomplished furniture-making workshops, including Charlie Sandford Joinery, Tide design and Jardan. His interests include 18th century reproduction work, mid century and contemporary furniture making, French polishing, Windsor chairmaking and woodturning. He also draws inspiration from Shaker furniture and late colonial period work. The piece shown here, Perfectly Askew, was inspired by a piece seen in the TV show Frasier. ‘I used the original purely as inspiration and chose to put my own flare and artistic licence into it. I wanted to build something that not only challenged myself as a maker, but would also appeal to my love of traditional Japanese woodworking and American studio furniture. The piece incorporates traditional three-way mitre joinery, shopsawn veneers, piston fit dovetail drawers and a single hidden compartment. Timbers used are American cherry, poplar and Ceylon ebony. Photos: Michael Gordon Hill.

Raf Nathan, Qld

Working from a workshop nestled in bushland, Raf Nathan has been making furniture and woodwork items for more than 30 years. As a designer/maker he creates modern pieces such as tables and cabinets using predominantly Australian woods. Even after all these years he is still excited by the challenge of making things that are well made, lasting and have a contemporary edge. Over the past few years he has also designed and put into production specialist woodworking measuring tools made from brass, aluminium and of course wood. Raf is a prolific writer, having publishing two woodwork project books and authored hundreds of articles for the magazine Australian Wood Review. Raf is an accredited member of Studio Woodworkers Australia.

AWR Studio Furniture is proudly sponsored by: