Public art and furniture

One of four benches donated to the Bluffy community in 2023. Two bench tops were sliced from a single 500mm diameter pine tree. and fitted with ash wood stump legs.  This bench is fitted with patinated copper inlays and router cut channel patterns.

This piece is in part a weathering experiment. The bench is in a wet and shady spot. The patination is outdoor laquer coated. I anticipate it should last 7-10 years.

The bench is located at a forest trail bend and stream crossing - designed for quiet listening.

The bench top is 180cm long and 50cm wide. Cutting this freehand required a 90cm blade chainsaw.

The pattern was sketched out and then routered 5-10mm deep. The dark contrast was generated by burning with a gas torch and outdoor staining laquer.

The bench is installed at a trail junction shaded by an old apple tree.  

This bench is made from 100 year + recovered chestnut timbers used to surround a fireplace. Enamel panels add a splash of colour. Installed in a local park.

I retained the existing features such as the rectangular fitting holes and augmented this with a rectangular routered pattern.

A simple and austere build for a one - seat bench. Added some bright enamel decoration on the opposiite face to draw attention from the roadside to the site.

This outdoor bench is made from a very old rough cut slab of ash wood.  I augmented it with a chiselled outline of a lizard. 

The dark staining was water-alcohol based and so is now faded.

Donated and installed in the Bluffy community orchard

I created this in May 2021 in response to an invitation from the mayor of Bluffy. The bird body, tail and post are made from old barn timbers. The  head is made from a branch of a cherry tree from our garden. The opaque enamels are fired onto copper sheet purchased secondhand. 

 Donated to the village. 

I encountered a raft of issues building this. Woodworm had weakened the timber. The copper feathers warped during enamelling. The nails are a one way street on positioning. The 3mm thick top crest was too big for both the oxy welder and the enamel oven to handle. Waterproofing the wood via outdoor varnish is never 100% secure but it should last a few years. The whole thing weighs over 100kg...

So for better or worse, my first public sculpture is out there. As hoped, it adds some colour and fun to the place. Generates a fair bit of attention. Lots of selfies and kids pictured standing next to it.

Lets see how long its lasts against the sun, snow, vandals etc..