Sophie David, Gwyir Ribbon Chair (STUDENT 2025)

Student:

Tertiary

Name of school or tertiary institution, name of woodworking teacher (if you have one), and name of photographer:

TAFE NSW, Lidcombe Campus; Teachers: Georgina Donovan & Amber Herlihy-Went; Photography: Amber Herlihy-Went

Country

Australia

The Gwyir Ribbon Chair is a tribute to the natural beauty and personal history of the Gwyir River, which winds through my family’s property in rural New South Wales. The chair is made from recycled hardwood posts that once served a practical life on the farm and were stored in an old shed by the riverbank. My intention with this piece was to honour the material’s past while giving it a refined new purpose. I designed the chair to evoke a flowing ribbon, a visual metaphor for the meandering Gwyir River itself. The curvature and movement in the design reflect the fluidity of water, contrasting with the solid, aged timber to highlight the interplay between time, nature and memory. Each element was hand shaped to emphasise the wood’s unique story, from the subtle tones of Ribbon Gum to the original nail holes and cut-outs. Rather than conceal these imperfections, I chose to feature them as markers of the timber’s journey. The result is a chair that balances function with narrative, celebrating both craftsmanship and sustainability. The Gwyir Ribbon Chair is not just a piece of furniture, it is a vessel for connection, history, and renewal.

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