The Genus Australis project began a fresh set of invigorating challenges involving new, difficult forms and the need for a very different look to the wood’s surface. Previous surfaces that I’d created had been bright, reflective and glowing - inspired by vivid, sleek marine creatures, designed to glide through their oceanic environment. These new pieces were to reflect the earthy weathered seedpods, roughened by the harsh Australian climate. I moved away from using smooth polyester resin and replaced it with a granular texture paste. I started scorching and scratching the woods surface. The colors became more complex.
This box is made from English sycamore, sterling silver, 24 karat gold, texture paste and acrylic inks. Its height is 3 1/2".
Each collaborative piece is designed with Sarah. We start with a number of ideas that we eventually narrow down to a few that we then create scaled drawings of. Sarah then made the silver/gold part of this piece in her workshop before sending it on to me. The wood was turned and carved, pyrographed and airbrushed before the silver was incorporated.
This box is featured in my chapter in the book "New Masters of the Wooden Box" by Oscar Fitzgerald (page 80).
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