Joshua Stevens, Belmont, Victoria

Salvage Pod
Redgum
75 x 75 x 380mm

Materials
This piece was made out of an old redgum fencepost that I held on to after our fence was replaced a number of years ago. This material would have otherwise ended up in somebody’s fire or at the local tip. As a woodworker I think it is important that we re-use and recycle as much as possible, even if it is more time consuming to use (with regards to removing nails, paint, etc).

Method of Construction
The inside and part of the outside profile were turned on the lathe (off axis), with a waste block attached to one side to give the chuck jaws something to hold on to (due to the angle). The bulk of the work was done with a die grinder, rotary power carving tool (Foredom), a micro-motor and finally a pyrography unit.

Finish
Kunos oil by Livos.

Concept
Of all the pieces I have made the ones I have enjoyed most are the pieces that have an organic and flowing look to them. That being said, both the pod shape and the surface texture (which I consider to be almost vein like) have evolved through the last five pieces. I chose to turn to the piece slightly off axis in the hope that this, in addition to the carved flow lines on the stem, would help to give the illusion of a living object that is growing out of the square redgum post.

Photos: Joshua Stevens