Philip Cen, Frog Stool (STUDENT 2024)

Student:

Tertiary student

Name of school or tertiary institution, name of woodworking teacher (if you have one), and name of photographer:

University of Melbourne

Inspired by the renowned George Nakashima, the Frog Stool breathes new life into an old 200 x 200 mm jarrah stump, previously discarded and weathered. This piece was crafted as part of the University of Melbourne’s bespoke furniture subject, where the challenge was to search for and create a unique chair. The stump, sourced from the Revival Project, became the heart of a design that honours its rich red hues and the natural erosion of the jarrah timber. Complemented by light coloured Tasmanian oak, the stool creates a compelling dialogue between the contrasting elements of weight and lightness. Although modest in size, the stool embodies the themes of patching, repair, and the celebration of the live edge. Notably, the entire construction was achieved without the use of glue, relying solely on the precision and integrity of wedge jointing techniques.

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