Chatoyance! The meaning of the word as personified in the exhibition so-named was brilliantly apparent on February 18, 2018 as attendees to the opening of Studio Woodworkers Australia’s current exhibition could testify.
Chatoyance is that shimmer, that refraction of light that can occur when wood is viewed from different angles and in varying light. For members of SWA, it was an opportunity to play with and present the effects gained through juxtaposing and sometimes contrasting the figure and grain patterns of wood.
Forty items of furniture and other objects were lovingly crafted by members of Australia’s only association for professional woodworkers who have reached a juried level of expertise. As a departure from earlier exhibitions work by both accredited and general members was presented.
On the morning of the opening the crowd poured into the gallery space at Sturt Craft Centre to hear Richard Munao, Cult founder and director deliver an opening address.
Cult is a Sydney based company which provides designer furniture from a comprehensive collection of brand partners in Australia and New Zealand. Before founding Cult in 1997, Richard Munao pointed out that it was his early experience as a cabinetmaker that had given him an understanding of the processes, time and effort which went into creating fine pieces of furniture.
The exhibition runs until April 8, 2018 at Sturt Gallery in Mittagong, NSW. The June issue #99 of Australian Wood Review will feature the work shown at Chatoyance.
Some photos taken at the opening are shown in the gallery above. Click on an image for a larger view and to read captions.