Joe Vinks Handcrafted Furniture opens
No piece is ever the same, just as no stick is ever the same, so it's an art form that comes with inherent challenges."There are sticks and there are sticks," says Joe. "The trick is finding the right one for the job and, most importantly, finding them at the right time - they need to be well seasoned to avoid any issues with splitting. It's not uncommon for me to jump in the ute and go stick hunting if I can't find the perfect piece in the wood pile."
The furniture's one-of-a-kind style has clear parallels with the fundamental Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the profundity of nature. "If you look at nature, it's full of irregularities," Joe says. "The concept of wabi-sabi is at the heart of what I celebrate in every piece - I'm drawn to the stories these imperfections tell.
"My pieces are like people, really. They're the senior citizens of the furniture world, they've got a few knobbly bits here and there but they have a far more interesting story to tell because of it, and one that sets them apart from modern furniture. From fallen timber, he sculpts bespoke chairs, stands, tables, stools, racks ... works of art that furnish a home and bring the natural world inside. From branches he makes benches; from twigs, tables; from trees, treasures; from forest, feature pieces ... his new shop on Orchard Street is now open next door to The Argyle Hotel, open Friday to Sunday or by appointment.
Joe (Left) and Brian outside their new display room, another excellent addition to Taralga’s retail experience.
Inside the shop which is packed full of great objects.
