John Madden and Angus McDonald

Ferdinand Rocker
Solid Tasmanian blackwood (from Lazarides Timber Agencies Queensland), Durafoam seat padding, 2mm hardwood ply, Hafele multi connectors and cams, cow hide, webbed seat
800 x 800 x 1240mm long

Joinery
The front rail is mortised and tenoned
Arms to frame 20mm hardwood dowel joints
Head to frame 20mm hardwood dowel joint
Rockers to frame, fore leg handcut trench, rear leg 20mm hardwood dowel joint
Upholstered shells front and back—laminated 2mm plywood board
Upholstered seat frame to chair—steel pins and cams, supplier Hafele (seat frame is removable).
Main joinery machined, all shaping and joint work by hand.

Glues
Joinery: Epoxy resin, Techniglue CA, manufacturer ATL Composites
Upholstered shells: AV275 Single pack crosslinking PVA, manufacturer AVsyntec

Finish
Mirotone sanding sealer 3242
Mirotone precat 3220
Mirotone Walnut Stain 200% Mirostain 2010

Concept
I have been drawing and painting bulls since I began art school thirteen years ago. In 2004 I began designing pieces of furniture in collaboration with John Madden, an accomplished woodworker whom I have known for many years. Together we are making pieces of furniture as aesthetically gestural homages to the bull whose low centre of gravity and proportions I find compelling as an artist; and lends itself to furniture. Using the bull as a subject in my art, I am trying to find something evocative that reflects a kind of honesty and strength inherent in their nature and sensibilities; at the same time, the way they are physically put together, their strength and muscularity, is beautifully simple and balanced.
The Ferdinand Rocker is an extension of this idea; however it has a predominant functional element that is not a factor in two dimensional art works. This makes it challenging to undertake in a different way. A chair must be excellent to sit on, and we make each one by hand, being wholly concerned with comfort, detail and finish.
We consider the ‘moo-ness’ of things! As a piece of furniture or a piece of art, the elegant simplicity of all form is what we aspire to in order to convey the most emotive power.
-Angus McDonald

Photos: John Linkins