‘The Cloud’
A year ago I decided to enter the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2020. I was inspired by a traditional Chinese furniture style known as' 回纹摆件' (hui wen ba jian) or ‘卷云纹’ (juan yun wen); returning/rolling cloud pattern. This was something I saw at a museum and was immediately drawn to it.
This piece can stand on all sides, creating a different experience and on each angle; thus like a cloud which changes as you look at it at various points. Dovetails are chosen as they are historically found in both the western and eastern civilisations; thus bringing my personal experience of being trained in the west, yet with my oriental roots.
This was made with book matched walnut with corner mitred dovetails and internal radiuses. I tried to create an external waterfall effect with the continuous grain of the walnut but I know the limitations of having exposed end grain (which was intended)
I didn’t make it to the finals but I am very happy that I embarked in this personal piece. The picture of Baby Stewie is included for scale of size.