Fraxinus

December 2022

Ash

Fraxinus explores bilateral symmetry within the ash tree. This non-functional chair/sculpture references ash leaves, which are pinnately compound and arranged in rows on opposite sides of the central stem. Leaves require balance. While Fraxinus is not functional, if a person does sit on it, they must be in perfect balance, similar to a leaf on its stem. This chair blurs the lines between sculpture and furniture, form and function. I am investigating the interaction between free-from and traditional bending techniques. 

The form was created through bent lamination using handmade, 72”L x 11”W x ⅛” T sheets of veneer. Both the front and back, for the top and bottom sections, are book matched and taken from one board. This creates a double mirrored reflection of the grain, further referencing the symmetry of leaves. The 32 layers were bent over handmade jigs.