Ned Astridge, Scribbly Gum Moth Inspired Coffee Table (STUDENT 2022)

Student:

Secondary

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

Cammeraygal High School - Max Burgess

My Major Timber Project design has been inspired by the scribbly gum moth, which can be found down the most part of the east coast of Australia. The moth digs into a tree between the bark leaving an intricate tunnel maze, in a “scribble” like pattern for their larvae to feed upon. This is fascinating pattern of nature and something I have always wanted to explore and work on representing through my work. I decided to incorporate this ‘scribble’ pattern into my table top, through the lamination of recycled and reclaimed Blackwood. This choice of timber was carefully considered through extensive research as this was a species of tree that the moth used to create this pattern. As part of the design and storytelling of the project, I've used letter punches to put the Latin, Indigenous and English names of the tree and moth on the edge of the table and a wood burner to burn an outline of the moth next to the name so it clearly relates to the pattern on the table. For the magazine shelf, I wanted to further promote the concept of sustainable design and used the same wood as the tabletop which were off cuts from the production of the top.

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