Adam Webb, Lake Conjola, NSW

Down by The Beach
1200 x 600 x 500mm

Concept
The concept was to recreate the simple movement of shape and form of the human body, by employing the use of voids and texture. Materials I’ve always wanted to put together, huon pine and structural plywood, modern and old, raw and manufactured, the argument to which wood, both giving a taste of the other and to have people think there are sustainable as well as ecological ways of protecting and promoting the planets valuable forest resources all it takes is to keep planting. Dimensions were relatively set by the limited supply of shed Huon, but strange how the right piece was there. Considering the brief, what different techniques of carpentry, drawer, shelves and doors to incorporate. Putting it together aesthetically comes together as you settle and let go and the hands do their work.

Materials
Huon pine given to me by a friend four or so years ago
Structural plywood from local owned timberyard.

Joinery
Cut and paste. Build the form first in its solid form to get a look at basic dimensions. Then to start the actual piece, cut with bandsaw and build keeping it together with screws. As you build you get chance to stand and watch the form evolve, working with what flows. Once overall shape is worked out and a strategy is formed, it is time to deconstruct and build again. Drawer was cut and fitted. Front was mortised to main drawer with kickers nailed to reinforce the sides. Sides grooved to fit bottom, back mortised to sides and nailed to bottom. Top was squared and glued to structural plywood base then cut and shaped, rebated to give depth. Bottom was glued and joined stopping to cut doors; barn style, once cut put aside. Carry on building and gluing until reaching the top. There again stopping just to fix the top with screws. Doors then fitted and then shaped by grinding and Japanese rasps. Off to be sand blasted. Leaving top and drawer which is machine and hand sanded. Once sand blasted glue and build again. Doors taken off to be fitted again with Huon inlays chiselled by hand.

Glues
PVA, AVS Adhesives AV515.

Finishes
Linseed oil and gum turpentine first coat. Organoil older style Danish oil. Sanding between coats. To me oils make a piece warmer and the smell of the Organoil enticing.

Photo: Adam Webb