In what is now an annual tradition, the Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson, New Zealand is showcasing the work of graduates of its one year furniture makers program in an exhibition at The Refinery Artspace.
In the space of four terms the students produce an array of work that reflects the focal point of each term’s study.
In their first term, taught by Thorkild Hansen, students develop hand skills and machine competency.
David Haig is lead tutor at the Centre for Fine Woodworking and in term two taught steambending and curvature as a design and make hall table project which elicited a number of exciting responses.
Term three at the school marked the first time that New York designer maker Reed Hansuld has taught outside of North America. Chairmaking was the focus here and drew diverse designs from the students.
The final term was led by David Upfill-Brown. At this stage students were able to undertake an open project which harnessed the skills they have learnt.
Next year the CFW’s tutor line-up includes once again Thorkild Hansen and David Haig along with first time visits from Aled Lewis, Adrian Ferrazzutti and Michael Fortune. A new format of four different teachers will offer students with previous experience the opportunity to enrol for single terms for some of the very limited spaces still available. This format may allow those unable to attend the full time course access to the program in ‘smaller bites’.
Photos: Daniel Allen. Click on images to read captions.
The exhibition is open until January 18, 2020.
Learn more about the Centre for Fine Woodworking at www.cfw.co.nz