The Matrix

2009-07-14T04:29:00.000-07:00

May 09 saw the launching of "Makers and Designers" an exhibiting studio furniture group based in Brisbane Australia. I exhibited a new piece called Matrix, reasonably simple construction, 30mm machined Jarrah, half lap joints, 8mm toughened glass and an oil finish. Sequence of construction is also very simple, set out the basic parameters, run your lengths, cut most of the joints and oil. The interesting aspect of this design is the assembly. Most furniture pieces involve a lot of planning, drawing and conflict resolution. Me personally find this process a little tedious and lacks spontaneity. I have always sought expressionism in my work and the nature of this piece allows that. How? very simple, the assembly happens on the day thus is dependent on other factors besides the original drawings; mood, weather, time, how many children are about, etc all play a role. The piece allows the maker to express themselves at that moment. My first attempt at the piece saw me using a more traditional approach whereby setting it all out, holding bits in place with clamps and becoming utterly confused. On the Matrix it is best to throw all that away and just put it together as it seems right.

Greetings from the studio

2008-07-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings and welcome to my blog.Can't say I ever thought I would be a blogger as I have a severe IT disability but hey they do amazing things these days.

Primarily this blog is about my work as a studio furniture designer/maker and the pursuit of beauty.

"Studio Furniture" is emerging terminology used describe the work of what I guess would have traditionally been known as a craftsman, artisan or even tradesman. However, I feel that those traditional terms do not get to heart of what crafts people of our age are attempting to achieve. To put it simply there is more to now, not necessarily from a maker perspective, for example I doubt that my hand skills would ever match those of our fore bears, but more from the world view of craft and the making of things and what drives us to do this work.

All I see and all I feel somehow is distilled down into the work, physically and mentally.

So in a sense studio furniture is art furniture though the "Art Furniture" brand doesn't work for me, it doesn't fit fundamentallity, it's uncomfortable, those who work in the Art industry, well from experience it doesn't fit with them either. Art is art and craft is craft, wood is wood and love is love. Welcome to my blog.

Johnny Pops

The Matrix

Greetings from the studio