Rachael Heritage
Having studied furniture design at the Royal College of Art in London, Rachael is currently making a series of functional art pieces. This is furniture reduced to a minimum, solid geometric blocks, straight lines, gentle curves, verticals and horizontals, a process of refinement ultimately creating pieces with a sturdy elegance derived from their own simplicity.
The interaction of solid shapes placed together is used as building blocks to make sculptural forms – a platform to sit on, a vertical plane to lean against. The combinations of shapes are carefully considered to create their own unique style without compromising any purpose.The pieces become functional art, practical sculptures, a way to redefine the way we look at furniture. It is this precise combination of geometry that creates their own unique style.
Each piece in the collection is individually handmade using recycled cardboard, plywood and fibre-cement. The final surface coat is made up from many layers and with this mix of colour and texture each unique piece has its own individual character.
The process
Each piece in the collection is individually handmade using recycled cardboard, plywood and fibre-cement. The final surface coat is made up from many layers and with this mix of colour and texture each unique piece has its own individual character.
Each shape in the series takes the same form, but due to this process each final piece is unique. They will vary in colour texture, edge radii and alignment.
The understructure is made from an open plywood frame which is layered repeatedly with different shades of fibre cement. These build up to form a solid coat and as each layer is sanded back colours and textures mix together to give their own individual finish. Every piece is unique with its own individual character.
Working in card, wood and cement I do not have to think about the designs in a traditional method, there are no joints to consider or structural restraints, the final shape is built up from the inside-out, giving the freedom to make each piece unique, individual and without a design reference to a time in the past.
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