MATERIALS

Within the context of wider environmental issues world attention has focused  on the use and sustainability of timber as a resource, particularly tree species that are rare and slow growing. As a consequence solid wood needs for all types of construction are now generally sourced from well-managed softwood and temperate hardwood plantations in Europe and North America. However furniture making, architecture and decorative woodwork is still undertaken on a large scale using 'exotic' timber species from unsustainable sources around the world. These markets are generated by the 'rich' and 'exhibitionistic'; the thoughtless or irresponsible; the selfish and the greedy. Individuals can do little or nothing to influence this unnecessary exploitation and more crucially the debasement of the planet, but in my own way I do feel able to make a small practical and symbolic gesture. I simply started making small utilitarian objects out of materials found lying around my locality. As well as using discarded/reclaimed timber as much as possible it's necessary to use it in conjunction with new sustainable timber to realise my ideas. It's worth me highlighting that new wood can be obtained any shape and size whereas 'useable' recycled material takes time to accumulate and invariably is found in limited and quite small sizes. These things significantly influence what and how things can be made, as well as the general character of the work.The plain weathered wood collected from coastal and rural landscapes has a neutral visual consistancy but the salvaged painted wood is a waste product of urban renewal and varies a great deal in visual character. Collecting and responding to the already painted material is a new situation every time and involves a more conscious image building process, making each coloured piece of furniture more unexpected and unrepeatable.