Aiden Helu, Cultural Dining Table (Student)

A culturally inspired dining table which incorporates both my Australian and Tongan culture. The majority of the timber used is red cedar which was sourced from an island in Tonga. The parquetry pattern down the centre of the table is a combination of Cherry, Sydney blue gum and walnut which provides the contrasting colour portrayed in traditional Tongan patterns. The motif in the middle of the table is a representation of a Tongan god, that was laser cut and inlayed with a veneer of wenge. The legs were inspired by my family name, ‘Helu’ which signifies a traditional headpiece embedded in Tonga’s royal history. The legs represent the feathered comb style headpiece which is seen through the fan-shaped legs. Tung oil was applied as it slightly darkens, giving the wood a rich, warm colour and ultimately strengthens the timber overtime.

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