VWA Artists in Residence November Update

Our Artists in Residence have been back in the workshop working on commissions, collaborations and personal projects. Hear from our Artists in Residence about what they’ve been up to over the last month.

Simeon Dux: Atomic Cabinet

The Atomic cabinet was a really fun little project that I completed recently in a relatively quick time frame. Not too complex of a job, but some enjoyable processes involved. Hand shaping the legs and the handles was a highlight and using a re-sawing technique to achieve a repeated grain pattern was something I have wanted to try for a while.

See more on Sim’s instagram here

Adam Markowitz: Perigee Lamp

A collaboration with metal sculptor Oliver Tanner. Shortlisted in the Clarence Art Prize and the upcoming Craft Victoria Awards.

Perigee: the point at which two orbiting objects are at their closest. A collaborative work between woodworker Adam Markowitz and Metalworker and Sculptor Oliver Tanner, Perigee brings these two craft traditions into each other’s orbit, where a deep understanding of each craft’s mediums is interwoven with an adventurous and experimental approach to the design outcome.

Two thin, doubly-curved crescent profiles in timber and bronze follow two sweeps of offset circles sharing a central radial point. These two elements appear to clasp each other with their opposing crescent shapes. The 3D printed, sand cast and hand-hammered bronze ring diffuses and reflects the light created by an LED mounted to the timber.

See more on Adam’s instagram here

Raven Mahon: Medicine cabinet

This cherry medicine cabinet was inspired by a work by the artist Paul Hartigan, which I saw in Aotearoa New Zealand many years ago and stuck in my mind. The mirrored sliding doors are painted from the back in a process that involves removing the silvering and repainting in the negative space.

This particular piece was an experiment for home, but a process and combination of materials I’d love to explore further.

Alex Pontonio: Dining table for Derby Street

The clients chose the timber and specific boards— Otways Myrtle from Urban Salvage. The brief asked for a design that met halfway between ‘solid and robust’ and ‘smooth and soft’.

A sturdy table end wraps around to a gentle sculpted side. The legs cradle the top with complimenting curves, mostly shaped by hand.

Accounting for seasonal movement, the table’s construction includes traditional breadboard ends with pinned tenons connected by haunches.

See more on Alex’s instagram here