Tanakorn Pongpaew, Jintana Cabinet (CHESTS, CABINETS & BOXES 2024)

Photos:

Mathew Stott

Video tour:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_M4yxsp_sx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Design by Nae Tanakorn Maker: Nae Tanakorn in collaboration with TRADITIONAL BAMBOO HANDICRAFT CENTER(Thailand) Materials American Maple I selected American Maple as I aim for cohesive colours between Bamboo and timber. Bamboo I chose to use woven Bamboo due to its flexibility and also as mentioned, I’d like to use this part as a medium to tell my story. Patina on brass I spent an amount of time trying to come up with a bracket to hold all the pods together while also keeping the focal point to the woven bamboo work. I chose 3 mm brass because of its thin profile and strength compared to timber. I also decided to colour the brass using the patina technique, this is my first time using this technique. Dimensions : Dimensions - 1240 mm x 1240 mm x 1726 Height - Shelves height at 575 mm and 1128 mm - storage capacity are 4 x (415 mm height x 320 mm in diameter) Concept I yearn to live in a world that is harmonious, where everyone lives together in peace. Where equality, respect for humankind, and a sustainable way of life is paramount. I would like to create a piece of furniture that evokes this philosophy. A piece that represents a simple life that also contrasts society's capitalist ideals. I feel that the way we live our lives comes from what is learned from past generations. This influences the idea of progressing forward by referencing the past. Looking towards opportunities to improve not just how we live, but how we think of our surroundings. Now is our time to make a difference by looking into how we lived in the past to find a positive way forward. Design concept A cabinet that is inspired by the untouched and protected, the seed - a new beginning. A seed represents the start of life, a pure state of being, protected within its shell. Four seeds form the structure and silhouette, all connected to the triangle core stem located in the centre of the cabinet, with three elegantly thin tapered legs extruding below. The cabinet consists of 4 pods which are held together firmly to its main core via linked arms. Each pod represents an individual decentralised community, yet still connected to each other. Each pod has a door that can be spun freely around its own core. The cabinet doors are made out of bamboo which is commonly used in traditional household items in Thailand. The woven pattern seen on the cabinet is called “ Pigul Lai Thai”, this pattern has been developed by TBHC, “Traditional bamboo handicraft centre”. I briefly visited the TBHC in Thailand in December 2023 and flew back again to organise the commission work for this project. I spent a week with them to work out the requirements to create the cabinet doors. I witnessed the way they worked and how happy they are to create incredibly detailed works and how they work together in such a lovely community. They were always willing to help with smiles on their faces. The experiences with the people and their craft evoked feelings of warmth and joy. These cabinet doors aren't just an art piece that showcases traditional craftsmanship but it represents this community, the way they live where they love. A place where things are simple.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.