Morphology

The artistic theme of Morphology is centred on Memory – loss, love, harmony and dissonance. Discarded furniture pieces, are simply that. They are however, each one, imbued with a history, a life before of function, design, meaning and memory. Once ubiquitous, wooden chairs and tables were in every Australian home, lasting through generations. The look and feel of antique, often dark walnut stained timber furniture is so instantly recognisable and evokes a feeling of ‘home’, something cosy, something comforting, somehow familiar and reassuring but perhaps something now lost.

This sculpture imbues, embodies and wraps itself around the emotionally charged feeling of these memories, of homes, relatives and childhood experiences past- inviting the viewer to explore the details and concepts within as well as the small written messages left by those who contributed in its making.

The Morphology project was hosted in the incredible Soap Factory arts space on Awabakal land by in-house furniture makers and artists Jono Everett (Everett Creative) and Hannah Cheetham (Built In-Kind) through public access workshops, collectively imagining, designing and fabricating this sculptural piece with the people of Newcastle and beyond. Participants were able to explore ideas, gain hands-on experience and skills in design, spatial design, construction and fabrication under the guidance and supervision of Jono, Hannah and other leading designers and makers.

The hundreds of furniture components in this piece were all harvested from discarded timber furniture from the roadside – disposed and no longer considered valuable. Public participants worked toward a singular artistic vision, not only contributing their ideas and passion but they also brought broken and preloved items for inclusion in the work. In return they gained woodwork, fabricating and wood finishing skills and had exposure to a workshop environment and, most importantly, made beautiful new connections and friends. Many participants have never experienced working in timber, making a sculpture or exhibiting an artwork – and can now stand back and celebrate the sculptural piece you see here. Participants etched poems, thoughts, stories and memories into the furniture components- see if you can find them.

Special recognition to Jarod Pak (lighting) and Jet Everett (soundscape) and the members of the public who bravely stepped up and helped build this epic piece- congratulations!

Accessible from 5pm but be sure to visit after dark for the full experience.

About The Artist

Craftsman, furniture maker, artist and designer, Jono Everett is engaged by architects, museums and art galleries. He has produced work as varied as furniture for the Prime Minister’s suite in Parliament House through to designing and delivering the Supernova Science Centre for the Newcastle Museum. He has exhibited one off pieces nationally and internationally.

Jono Everett’s story defines how all good design stems from the same set of rules and, if realised and practised, can liberate the designer into a world of opportunities, projects and creative collaborations.
He is currently co-managing the Soap Factory, a Newcastle’s maker’s enterprise.

Hannah Cheetham holds a Masters of Architecture and has an extensive and varied background in the construction and fabrication industries. Hannah’s practice ‘Built In-Kind’ is deeply informed by a need to explore solutions to both societal and environmental stressors experienced when living in a world in the throes of a changing climate, and a society of unequal social privileges.

Hannah applies architecture as a solutions-focused creative discipline, which transcends the familiar field of building design. Rather, her practice in architecture and design explores opportunities for socio-cultural, spatial, environmental and experiential interventions which can connect communities to their built, natural and cultural landscapes.

Built In-Kind as a practice is a synthesis of architectural design, workshop and fabrication education, material recovery and community development. Hannah partners with various government and non-government organisations to host tool and timber fabrication classes – further empowering diverse community, particularly women in the creative/fabrication fields.