Student’s furniture a work of art

Student’s furniture a work of art

Josh Norris is only seventeen, and one year into his Diploma of Furniture Making and Design at UCOL, but already his work is being picked up by local galleries.

Josh, who lives in Feilding, currently has a chest of drawers on display at Palmerston North gallery Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts, and a side board on display at a gallery in Palmerston North’s Square Edge.

Taylor-Jensen Fire Arts Managing Director, Stuart Schwartz, says the chest of drawers is a beautiful piece of work, and has been attracting attention from visitors to the gallery.

“It is a fine example of the blending of traditional form with contemporary styling. The juxtaposition of traditional and modern makes it a truly stand-out piece of furniture.”

Josh says he made the chest in class over three months, and is “quite pleased with it”. It is made from pine, with a lacquer finish over a white stain on the drawers, and a dark brown stained carcass.

“The contrast of dark and light further accentuate the form of the piece,” said Schwartz.

Josh says his Granddad is an accomplished woodworker, and encouraged him to enrol in the programme. The pair spend a lot of time talking about what they are both working on, and things they could make, and are planning on working on a project together over the summer holidays.

UCOL Furniture Design and Making Lecturer, Andy Halewood, says after the first year working with hand tools and machinery on fine furniture, students’ work is expected to be up to gallery standard, and Josh’s is a good example.

The UCOL Diploma of Furniture Making and Design is the only qualification of its kind in New Zealand, and one of only three in Australasia. The first year focuses on teaching fine craftsmanship, then student’s progress to working with their own designs in the second year. Josh says he is looking forward to his second year, and really enjoys putting into practice the skills he has learnt.

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