Thread: Heads up- ABC TV New s re million dollar cabinet

If Woodwood tells us its crap, then we have to accept it as fact. He is an authority on history and design. We should all value his educated opinion.

Originally Posted by gpsmith

If it is the piece that was on display in the old Melbourne Meatmarket gallery about 10 years ago - ,

Smithy, that was the Australia cabinet . I also seen that and it was breathtaking. I cant even begin to imagine the patience and skill required to undertake such a project.

I see you have ruffled a few Emu feathers Woodwould.

I think we all appreciate your wonderful skills, knowledge and sense of humour.

I think we all appreciate your right, and everybody else's right to an opinion.

But this is getting a bit ridiculous _ on all fronts.

Personally I don't want to see this develop any further than it has as a sniping match. Let' all take a step backwards and get to expressing personal opinions without feeling the need for ANY level of personal denigration, as I don't feel that these forums are for that purpose.

Originally Posted by Lignum

If Woodwood tells us its crap, then we have to accept it as fact. He is an authority on history and design. We should all value his educated opinion.

You're just being a big bottom again aren't you! I didn't say it was crap or even use a word remotely like it.

I couldn't design two parallel lines, which is why I don't dabble in furniture design (although it doesn't seem to stop others). Because someone 'designs' stuff for thirty years, may make them a professional designer by vocation, but it doesn't necessarily follow they are any good at it. A friend of mine was a musician all his life, but couldn't hold a note. His friends and family all dreaded parties where he'd strike up.

There are accepted norms of bad taste; perving, wearing moccasins in public (anywhere?), comb-overs, wearing trousers lower than underpants, picking up at funerals, talking with ones mouth full. Not all taste is subjective and bad taste is easier to recognise than good.

But anyway, as my avatar eludes to and my signature declares, you shouldn't take anything I say at all seriously.

Originally Posted by artme

I see you have ruffled a few Emu feathers Woodwould.

I think we all appreciate your wonderful skills, knowledge and sense of humour.

I think we all appreciate your right, and everybody else's right to an opinion.

But this is getting a bit ridiculous _ on all fronts.

Personally I don't want to see this develop any further than it has as a sniping match. Let' all take a step backwards and get to expressing personal opinions without feeling the need for ANY level of personal denigration, as I don't feel that these forums are for that purpose.

Fair point.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

"Another cabinet, currently on display at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery, is made from 34 types of timber as well as ebony..."

Gee do you think that could be the same one!

The emphasis was on the materials; "... 34 types of timber as well as ebony..."

Taste is very subjective. As we all know there have ben changes in popular styles of everything throughout history ranging to and including styles I'll never understand.

Taste is subjective. I would have assumed woodwould of all people would have this understanding, given the particular taste he has. I have found myself holding back criticism of pieces made, but you have to realize that styles are subjective. It would be like critiquing a persons like or dislike of yams. A master chef could make up some masterful sushi, but I don't like raw fish or seaweed. The cabinet is amazing, sure it is a bit over the top, but what else do you expect from someone who put thousands of hours into it? For the style that it is, the design is pretty cool, I think.

I was fortunate enough to attend a talk given by Geoff about the current cabinet at USQ during Mcgregor Summer school 2007 I think. Damn grey matter is fading.

I don't know if he still does the schools. Here is an extract about Geoff's work.

"Geoff was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1980 to study in London and Paris. He has been a tutor at the McGregor Summer School, Art Institute and many centres in Central Queensland. He won the traditional section at the National Woodwork Exhibition (Melbourne) for three consecutive years. Geoff was also awarded the silver medallion for the Arts in the Lismore Bicentennial Australia Day Awards and a major work was purchased by the Australia Fund for Government House, Canberra. Another major work, the Australiana Cabinet, featuring 100 different timbers, was sold to a private buyer in Belgium."

I remember him saying the single piece of ebony cost 10k

Ray