Gallery of Members
Bianca Pardhy-Avis |
http://www.pardhyavissmith.co.uk
My work has its roots in traditional handmade furniture from my training at Bristol Women’s Workshop. I learnt cabinet making skills using traditional woodworking tools, and I believe that this gave me an understanding of the material in a way that can be lost using modern machinery. I now somewhat reluctantly but necessarily use a certain amount of machinery as it is not financially viable to do everything by hand, but I retain many elements of hand fitting and finishing which gives my work an integrity and individuality seldom found in modern furniture. Most of the wood that I use for my own design pieces is from reclaimed or second hand sources, I find that these materials have their own distinct character which I often use as inspiration for a piece. This approach to the design process is often essential as sourcing reclaimed wood can leave the maker with anything from a tiny piece of a treasured rare hardwood to a whole house full of Victorian floorboards. Reclaimed materials can limit themselves in this way but in my experience, more than compensate for this in their uniqueness. Using these materials also allows me to use woods that would be unethical if bought new. It seems people are willing to throw away quantities of these precious materials and I take great pleasure in ‘rescuing’ and using these wonderful pieces of wood. I endeavour to use traditional methods and unique materials to create eclectic pieces of furniture with a wide variety of stylistic references.
Jenny Smith
http://www.pardhyavissmith.co.uk
I am a woodworker making furniture by hand using traditional joinery and woodworking skills learnt at the Bristol Women’s Workshop. I love wood with a history - old, worn furniture and weathered, used timber. In reviving antique and second-hand wood and re-working it, I can combine classic and contemporary design with materials of warmth and character. Each piece of my furniture is completely individual by nature of the wood and, by virtue of traditional joinery, is made to last.
