• Multi-centre turned chess set by Anne-Maria Plevier, oak and maple pallet wood.
    Multi-centre turned chess set by Anne-Maria Plevier, oak and maple pallet wood.
  • Jeremy Brown’s Chair is made from small but structurally tested sections of maple and oak pallet woods along with laser cut aluminium brackets.
    Jeremy Brown’s Chair is made from small but structurally tested sections of maple and oak pallet woods along with laser cut aluminium brackets.
  • Pamela Whitaker, Chair, pallet maple and plywood.
    Pamela Whitaker, Chair, pallet maple and plywood.
  • Boxes by Andrew Potocnik made from pallet pine and oak. You can read how Andrew made them in issue 90 (March 2016) of Wood Review
    Boxes by Andrew Potocnik made from pallet pine and oak. You can read how Andrew made them in issue 90 (March 2016) of Wood Review
  • Cabinet by Alex Springall. The doors feature marquetry renderings of crimson rosellas and a sulphur crested cockatoo.
    Cabinet by Alex Springall. The doors feature marquetry renderings of crimson rosellas and a sulphur crested cockatoo.
  • Chess Board and Pieces (not shown) by Peter Harris.
    Chess Board and Pieces (not shown) by Peter Harris.
  • Jerome, Wielens, Evolution of a Box are forms which chart the transformation of discarded pallet timbers which here include sycamore, maple, oak and elm.
    Jerome, Wielens, Evolution of a Box are forms which chart the transformation of discarded pallet timbers which here include sycamore, maple, oak and elm.
  • Detail of Hamish Hill’s Tabletop Loom made from oak, maple and cherry pallet timbers. ‘Owning alpacas creates the need to learn about the fibre arts’, says Hamish.
    Detail of Hamish Hill’s Tabletop Loom made from oak, maple and cherry pallet timbers. ‘Owning alpacas creates the need to learn about the fibre arts’, says Hamish.
  • David Hall, Stack of Crates Cabinet, maple, elm, white oak and poplar pallet woods. David’s design references the origin of the material.
    David Hall, Stack of Crates Cabinet, maple, elm, white oak and poplar pallet woods. David’s design references the origin of the material.
  • Clare Solomon’s Decisions on the Run is an exploration of the idea of resolving indecision.
    Clare Solomon’s Decisions on the Run is an exploration of the idea of resolving indecision.
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Upcycled Again

11 January 2016
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From Emer Diviney

Over 40 of Australia's most talented woodworkers, designers and makers have risen to the challenge of making a beautiful object or furniture piece from two rough and discarded timber pallets.

Designed to shine a spotlight on the environmental impact of timber packaging waste, the bi-annual Create from a Crate Exhibition demonstrates that waste timbers can be a valuable and untapped resource material when handled by skilled craftspeople.

Entrants from across Australia, have handcrafted a diversity of pieces that include not only beautifully crafted furniture and sculptures but also some unexpected entries including a satchel bag, cigar box guitar and a surfboard.

Entrant Andrew Potocnik likened the process to a treasure hunt or opening a present: ‘You never know what you'll find within – no idea of timber type, clean or cracked wood, seasoned or dripping wet. It's an adventure that requires a great deal of malleability on the part of the maker taking part.’

The President of The Victorian Woodworkers Association, Jerome Wielans, agrees. ‘Working within the confines of pallet timber requires a high level of creativity, ingenuity and skill. The competitors are generally more comfortable working with fine timbers, so it is inspiring to see what they produce from discarded timber. It is a real test of their workmanship.’

Every year hundreds of thousands of crates and pallets containing goods and components from all over the world are imported into Australia. Much of this packaging ends up in landfill, and it is estimated that over 500,000 tonnes of timber waste is disposed of each year in Victoria – enough to fill the MCG one and a half times.

Exhibition co-organiser and timber recycler Ward Petherbridge from Waste Converters is often overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of timber packaging waste discarded in Victoria. ‘We recycle around 20,000 tonnes annually and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Much of the timber processed at our site is from exotic timber species such as oak, cherry, maple and elm. I found it depressing that these quality timbers get pulverised into low-grade mulch, so I approached the Victorian Woodworkers Association about hosting the exhibition.’

Create from a Crate is a collaboration between The Victorian Woodworkers Association and timber packaging recycler Waste Converters. Exhibition supporters include Walker St Gallery & Arts Centre, The Sustainable Living Festival, Banyule Council, Hatch Contemporary Art Space & Effective Freight Management.

Prize money totalling $7,000 is up for grabs and includes a People's Choice Award.

Click here for a video of 2014 winner, Will Matthysen, making his exquisite handcrafted wall clock.

Exhibition dates:

Feb 5–27
Walker St Gallery & Arts Centre
Corner of Walker and Robinson Streets, Dandenong, Vic.
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am-5pm, Sat - 11-3pm

March 3 – April 2
Hatch Contemporary Art Space
14 Ivanhoe Parade, Ivanhoe, Vic
Hours: Tuesday–Sat 10am - 5pm

 

Click on each piece in the gallery below to see a full view and who the maker is.

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