Andrew Lapthorne (FSDC) has been announced as winner of the Alan Peters Furniture Award 2021
Society Fellow Andrew Lapthorne was declared the overall winner of the 2021 Alan Peters Furniture Award for his work "Remnant Table"
The Alan Peters Furniture Award focuses on hand craftsmanhip and entries should echo in some way the Alan Peters’ ethos. Judging criteria is mainly on craftsmanship, aesthetics, use of materials and originality, so design is a strong integral element of the award.
Full details of the online ceremony and virtual exhibitions can be found here: Alan Peters Awards Ceremony & Exhibition
Andrew described his submission "Remnant Table" as being inspired by Donatello’s sculpture ‘Penitent Magdelene’ and the hall table uses reclaimed/salvaged timbers from around the world.
‘Remnant’, while showcasing the wide variety and inherent beauty of wood, it’s haunting demeanour alerts us to what we have to lose. Employing a fundamental skill required in working wood, planing true and square, without the need of a complex framework, twenty one different types of wood are free to move as one, the top and apron holding each other flat through the use of a long mitre joint. Supported on a single leg made from 4,500 year old bog oak, once consumed and now given up by the earth, it is testament to the strength and durability of wood. Other timbers used are English oak, Maple, Sycamore, Utile, Holly, Teak, Wenge, Cherry, Lacewood, Fir, Walnut, Ash, Pine, Mahogany, Yew, Poplar, Elm, Beech, Rosewood and Iroko
The judges assessed the work as an arresting and original piece reflecting the stack laminating technique used by Alan Peters in his bowl tables that allows the wood to shrink and expand as one. It is an intelligent use of offcuts and timely in minimising waste, resulting in a visually arresting design which is almost sculptural but showing fine craftsmanship and imagination without being outlandish. Achieving such a long mitre joint without a visible glue line is no mean feat. Viewed from behind this table becomes something else. This piece has the approval of Alan Peters’ widow as first choice.