Off centre turning

There is a lot in favour of practicality, one of the standard questions I am asked is "What is it", meaning what is it's function. But there is also another side to the creative process, design more for form where function takes second place and form is more important. The function of this candleholder is obvious, but I wanted to create a form that was a departure from the traditional shape and this was a test piece to see if the idea would work. In redgum, the finish is high speed polish and the final piece is on the candleholder page.




Sometimes I like to experiment with forms for the sake of the shape rather that practical use. Sort of "Art for art's sake". I supose that the following two items might serve as pen holders for a desk , but that would be an "added on" function, not the purpose for which they were originally created.

This one, in redgum, with a finish of danish oil, was actually the first stage of an idea for shape that I had back in late 2008. Like most ideas, there were good things and bad about it, but it served to show me what could be done

I suppose, if I had to suggest a purpose for this design, it could serve as a very bad pen holder on someone's desk. but that is not why it was made. It is a progression from the first attempt and was done in decenber 2009. Again in redgum, this time the finish is a high speed polish

Miniature turning is another way of creating forms purely for the sake of form rather than function, particularly when combined with off centre turning. The single goblet to the left is in Jarrah, finished in Danish oil and stand 25mm high. In the photo above, the left hand goblet is turned in coastal banksia with a natural finish and stands 18mm high while the lighter coloured one is in radiata pine , natural finish and is about 12 mm high