Joe Adams, Southern Cross (WORLD 2024)

Photos:

Joe Adams

Country:

United States of America

This accent table is a delightful piece of functional art combining dramatic contemporary styling with a unique painting of an idyllic night sky. It celebrates Australia and the indomitable spirit that embodies the “Land Down Under.” The table top is a spectacular slice of burl from a Red Gum tree which is in the Eucalyptus family. The natural edge is carbonized using the ancient Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique and perfectly complements the fiery colored horizontal plane. The seven pointed “Commonwealth Star” of the Australian federation is inlaid utilizing ivory white Holly. The genesis for the cantilever design was inspired by George Nakashima’s “Weatherbee” end table that was exhibited in Tokyo in 1968. We have significantly reimagined the base utilizing a thick steel plate with an elegant, sweeping curved leg. We enjoy the challenge of working with different materials and combining them together in an unexpected way. A touch of negative space is provided by precise cutouts of the iconic celestial constellation, the Southern Cross. The five stars are displayed in a field of galactic blue just as they appear on the Australian flag. A vibrant splash of Britannia red highlights the leg channel as well as the Union Jack hiding underneath the table top. In a nod to the Lone Star State which shares a certain kinship with Australia, the table’s leg is sculpted from Native Texas Walnut. The spine is emblazoned with Aboriginal sand drawing symbols for several different tracks (starting from the bottom) – Human, Dingo, Snake, Kangaroo, Goanna Lizard, Emu, and Brushtail Possum. Last but certainly not least, a transcendent night scene is hand painted on the front “canvas” featuring the Aboriginal dot technique which imparts both a sense of movement and a hint of mysticism. The wood finish is a European hardwax oil that has been hand rubbed to a satin sheen. The steel is finished with professional quality automotive spray lacquer. The night sky utilizes acrylic art paints applied with a ball stylus and other techniques. The table measures 34” Long by 28” Wide by 25” Tall.

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