Throughout my working career I have strived to contribute to the Tasmanian Timber Industry, by conducting research to find new markets and develop new processes to increase economic and social outcomes using current resources with a focus on sustainability.
During my time at the University of Tasmania, striving to deliver high quality education to under-graduates through to post graduate students, with an emphasis on design practice, from initial concept to production, teaching the use of various materials, traditional cabinetmaking skills and digital fabrication techniques. Conducting research, exploring new materials with a focus on improved economic outcomes utilizing my experience in industry along with contacts built up over my working career to improve the quality and professionalism of the end results.
Qualifications
PhD in Fine Art & Philosophy, UTas
Master’s Degree in Fine Art & Design, UTas
Advanced Diploma in spray finishing and advanced coatings, TAFE
Advanced Diploma in Traditional Furniture Making, TAFE
Woodturning Trade Certificate, TAFE
Cabinetmaking Trade Certificate, TAFE
Research
· PhD based on High value adding processes for Plantation Eucalypts
· Managing a research facility
· Liaising with industry to integrate designs into production (Center for Furniture Design UTas)
Postdoctoral research conducted in:
· Hydrowood, applying it into high value boat building applications
· Product development in engendered timber, Ply and LVL
· Thermal modification [TM] of plantation eucalypt
· TM of Tasmanian minor species to improve their acoustic properties
· Modified lamination technique to decrease materials deflection under load
· Experimentation with low toxicity adhesives in manufactured timber products
Philosophy
Great work takes time.
Skills that are developed by continuously pushing the boundaries using material knowledge to anchor ones practice allows resulting work to reflect ongoing development.
Furniture making as a practice.
I use the term Practice to acknowledge that all making of objects from natural materials is an evolving pursuit, when you except that no mater how long you have been working in a field there is always more to be learnt excepts the fact that there is always some thing new that you have not encountered before.
Reflective practice.
The ability to reflect on ones practice is curtail to ongoing satisfaction with the results of any project undertaken. Even the most basic components should withstand rigor in their creation, individual sections of any work should maintain the standards of the entire object. I believe that if every part reflects care and attention to detail then the completed item reflects this in every way possible.
Materials are everything.
If a piece of material is selected for its capacity and suitability to add to any project then the end result becomes a significantly better object. Poor choices and inattention to the materials used in any project are usually represent its downfall.