Dominique's Beautifier

12 years ago in Hamburg I purchased an exceptional Swiss Pear log of enormous dimensions. I have always felt Pear wood to be the most feminine of woods, so silky and a beautiful colour. The log has some ripple in it so the grain is superb. 

The top is trapped within the leg structure - it proved to be very technically demanding and pushed me to the edge. The balls are Lapis Lazuli and I still intend to make some side drawers that sit on the left-hand side of the top plus a stool/chair. My last piece for the kids will be a writing desk for Charlie. 

153 cms high x 145 x 60

"Before"

A personal triptych sculpture in Amboyna Burr. In January 2000 I was contacted out of the blue on the net by someone selling Padauk Burrs. These are extremely rare and exceptional. The seller had worked many years in Burma as a Civil Servant and had been paid in kind as he is an amateur woodworker. The Burrs are like cancerous growths on the sides of trees similar to Oak Burrs. He gave me photos of locals sitting on elephants sawing them off using long 2-man handsaws. 

The Burrs inspired me to realise a personal triptych I have had in my head for ages about my work before, now and beyond. "Before" is a reflective piece showing the style of organic carving that I learnt from Michael O'Connor in the early '70s. The Burrs are perfect for this work as they have the conflicting feel of touch, spiky and soft. Set on top of a conical compression spring like a hedgehog, it quivers and shudders. I am really pleased with the movement and will be working on some quivering furniture soon. 

110 high x 60 x 36 cms high.

I will be making Part 2 and 3 of the Triptych, "Now" and "Beyond", in the next 9 months. "Now" shows my more graphic and linear work and "Beyond" describes some future thoughts of orbits, space and a nestled Sphelix in its heart.

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