Darren Oates, Darren Oates, NSW (Studio Furniture 2018)

Darren is a fine furniture designer/maker based in the Hawkesbury, NSW and divides his work equally between commission work and spec pieces which are shown in galleries throughout New South Wales. He is pragmatic, though not utilitarian, in his approach to furniture design, considering both form and function to be vital. Darren believes in traditional joinery, but is not a purist. If he can make an extremely strong joint using a jig or machine, then that is what he will do. Responsibly sourced timber is important to Darren. Most of his pieces are made from Australian native timbers reclaimed from urban developments, or failing this, Forest Stewardship Council accredited timber. A lot of Darren’s furniture involves the use of curved elements most of which are achieved by bent laminations. Darren tries to keep the lines of his furniture simple but also design pieces that will not blend into the background. In essence Darren is aiming to produce collectable antiques for the next century to come. See: www.darrenoatesfinefurniture.net

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