Thread: Cubism competition 2022 - Derek

Hi Derek, and glad to see you on the team!

I suppose for me I would first have to define the artform itself; are you looking at the traditional indigenous art or the contemporary “dot painting” as shown in your photos?

With the dotty style I can only see timber being textured with a ball burr, but the traditional form would allow you to explore timber features. We’ve all looked at a piece of figured grain and “seen” an image, with this in mind you could outline and highlight the image with fine knife lines.

For some reason Neil Erasmus’ “Knees” cabinet is forcing it’s way into my head (and I can’t find a picture online ) and I’m wondering how it would look with the “legs” textured in the style of these gentlemen:

9CF200FA-7968-4D27-ABAE-A2AFB3733F45.jpeg

Hi CT

There is so much more than just "dot painting" from which to take inspiration. I just included a few of the works that are more recent pieces I viewed at museums and being painted in person.

I am not familiar with Neil's "Knees" cabinet. Can you say more?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

Fantastic pictures thank you for that,

I unfortunately can’t, shouldn’t comment regarding your entry in the Competition(Unless you would consider bribery [emoji6][emoji6], I like shiny stuff)

But great to have you on board,

Now get with it.

Cheers Matt.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I am not familiar with Neil's "Knees" cabinet. Can you say more?

It was pictured in AWR around 15 years ago maybe, it wasn’t the specific subject of an article but a supporting picture; possibly an article about veneering… The name came from the appearance of the bookmatched door panel; it resembled a pair of legs… come to think of it; possibly the cabinet was named “Legs”… It was something that made a lasting impression on me; the cabinet itself was understated and maybe a bit boring but it only served to present the panel. The overall dimensions were crucial; an inch or so difference in any direction would have made it just look wrong which is testimony to Neil’s skill in design and execution.

I’ve been searching online for it and drawn a blank; however I return home on the 28th and will go through my back issues until I find it.

Is it this one? By Pam, not Neil

Knees.jpg

Could you use something like the inlayed curves used on the wooden cutting boards?

Google Image Result

Sent from my SM-S901E using Tapatalk

That is very interesting! Thanks.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hah; YES!
I picked the wrong Erasmus . In the somewhat unlikely event of you ever reading this Pam; please accept my apologies!

It’s obviously somewhat more complex than I recalled; it was those doors that made such an impression on me that the rest of the cabinet just mentally morphed into a vague box shape… but that is the definitely the cabinet.

What I was visualising was those doors but with the legs highlighted in bas relief and with culturally appropriate body decoration lightly carved into them. Carved light enough so that you have to keep looking in different directions for the images to be fully revealed.

Thanks for those photos Derek. They brought back wonderful memories. My wife and I drove to Uluru and Alice Springs last July and found the sights magical.

This is by way of an update on progress made ...

A little background to the boxes planned. I am aiming for 3, possibly four, but may only get two done in the time available. The deadline for me is mid-September. That is when my son is getting married. We expect family and friends from both overseas and inter-state, and I thought it would be a nice gift to a few special family members (who are travelling some distance) if I made them a gift of a box.

The boxes are to be mini-chests ... single drawer chests. Small - the one below is 190 x 175 x 70mm. They may be used for what-ever, but could go on an entrance hall table to keep keys inside. Just an idea.

I scrounged about the workshop for small sections of timber. This one is USA Black Walnut. Work done this weekend, and the drawer to complete ...



Mitre through dovetailed case, with 12mm sides ...



The case is glued and planed, but unfinished ...



Drawer sides loose - the back has yet to be dovetailed on ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

I note you mentioned measurements in Metric, one of the judges would suggest you keep that going, the other two judges may prefer other measurements type.

I’m just saying ok[emoji6].

Cheers Matt.

Okay ... 7 1/2" x 7" x 2 3/4". Case sides are roughly 1/2".

Regards from Perth

Derek

The first box is complete bar any texturing. Frankly, as much as I want to add symbols, I am not sure whether this is appropriate in this particular case as the figure is interesting enough to stand on its own merits. I leave it to you to share your thoughts in this regard.

The box is a mini-chest ... single drawer chest. Small - this one is 190 x 175 x 70mm. (7 1/2" x 7" x 2 3/4". Case sides are roughly 1/2"). My thought was that could go on an entrance hall table to keep keys inside. Just an idea.

I scrounged about the workshop for small sections of timber. Pieces of USA Black Walnut scraps. One piece was large enough to waterfall the figure from the top to the drawer. The other two sections were all there was.



Work done over three days. Finish is hard wax oil and wax. All hand tools following machine thicknessing.

The case is mitred through dovetails. Rebate at rear for drawer back. Dovetailed drawer.



One side ...



Turned Ebony drawer pull.

Other side ...



Rear ...



Good extension for the drawer (good fit) ...



I managed to save a thin slice from a resaw, and this became the drawer bottom ...



Drawer with half-blind dovetails at front and through dovetails at rear. Drawer bottom held with a groove at the front and slips at the sides ...



Rear of drawer showing the slips and expanded bearing surface. The drawer front is 12mm and the drawer sides 6mm.



This is how I imagine one use of the box might be ...





Your thoughts now on texturing? If I did, my idea was to add texture to the sides and rear only, leaving the top and drawer as is. This is what I have in mind ....



Regards from Perth

Derek

Beautiful work as always; and that’s such wonderful grain it’d almost be a crime to texture it!

Saying that, the contrast between the sides and top is great enough so that your suggested pattern would bring them closer together visually.