Phil Taylor, Draco Dormiens (ART, OBJECTS 2021)

Rewa rewa, Fijian Mahogany, Purpleheart and Larch finished with Danish Oil. I’ve been working with timber, as a builder for the past 25 or so years, and have been making mixed timber furniture, toys and a small amount of sculpture in the past 10 years. All of the timber I use has been reclaimed, recycled or repurposed; some from recent decking, some from renovations on 100 year old buildings and mid-century furniture. I tend to look at the world somewhat mathematically, how changing a measurement, angle or shape can influence how a piece evolves. Using those known and easily manipulated variables along with the unknown variability of natural timber, that at times has other ideas as to how a piece will progress, is an extremely satisfying process. I have always enjoyed working with timber, appreciating the details within the grain, the difference of tone within a particular timber and the vast contrasts between types of timber. The growth rings of a tree are influenced by the environment in which it grew, creating twists and knots, or delicate straight grain. In a similar way a shell is a product of its own struggle, both starting at a singular point, a clean and simple seed. With time, imperfections and struggles that come with growth develop, and like the limbs of an ancient tree the outer edge of a shell tells its own story. Using reclaimed and recycled timber I give my work a new beginning and a new story.

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