Window to the World

Furniture for Window to the World, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University

I recently installed a range of tables and stools made in oak from an Oxford University estate at the Blavatnik School of Government (opposite Oxford University Press in Walton Street, Oxford). The furniture occupies a central, informal meeting space known as “Window to the World”. 

I worked closely with the clients and the architects, Herzog & de Meuron, of the new school to develop a range of designs befitting of the social function of the space (people mustn't linger for too long in that particular space, which is intended for brief meetings). The designs also had to speak the same visual language of the interior.

During my open days for Oxfordshire Artweeks I will have on view, at my workshop, a collection of ½ scale models, mock ups and photos illustrating the evolutionary stages of the design process.

“What is real is not the appearance, but the idea, the essence of things." --Brancusi

I fell in love with the work of the Romanian-born sculptor Constantin Brancusi who lived most of his life in Paris. 

Last week I returned from a trip to Paris and visited the Brancusi Museum, built next to Pompidou Centre, that houses much of his work. It is not so much a museum as a sacred space and my visit felt more like a pilgrimage than a tourist visit. The museum recreates his original atelier where he worked for 50 years. The main difference is that the external walls are now glass. The contents of his studio have been faithfully arranged as Brancusi stipulated in his will when he left his work to the French state that his workshop be rebuilt as it was on the day he died.

Seeing his sculptures alongside the tools of his trade creates a powerful environment. His sculptures are very simple yet there is a compelling, almost hypnotic quality to them. His fellow artists testify to his remarkable work. Barbara Hepworth described, on visiting his studio in 1932, “the miraculous feeling of eternity mixed with beloved stone and stone dust”. She goes on to describe the inspirational character of Brancusi and his workshop and reflects on her own feelings to what she beheld: “all this filled me with a sense of humility hitherto unknown to me”.

I took many photographs of Brancusi’s work and his studio as it felt like a unique opportunity to capture a bit of the spirit of the place (although sadly the photographic quality may not be that good as the photographs were taken with an old iphone and through the glass walls).

Interestingly, and to my surprise, I found the act of taking images made me more aware of the sublimity of his sculptures. Each image revealed a subtle aspect of his sculpture that was not so evident shielded behind a glass wall. Although I could only spend an hour there the experience has left a powerful imprint on my memory.

Constantin Brancusi is not a well-known artist in the UK yet his influence is immense. He is known as the “patriarch of modern sculpture”. He is perhaps best known for his philosophy of “Truth to Materials”. He sought to understand and express the intrinsic nature of the materials he used. His philosophy was adapted by the British Arts & Crafts movement and is a value that I have regarded as part of the craftsman’s ethos. However, it was when I was researching and experimenting on Ideas in the Making that this approach began to expand into new dimensions.

I’ll stop here as I plan to develop the theme in Ideas in the Making for my Oxfordshire Artweeks Open Studio exhibition (weekends 14/15 and 21/22 May). I will also be putting some examples of Ideas in the Making on my website soon.

Sale of Work ~ 5 - 6 December between 11.00 - 16.00 daily

This weekend my son (and fellow furniture designer-maker) Jody Koomen and I will be at my workshop in Checkendon. You are most welcome to visit and have a look and/or chat. We'll be a hosting a sale of work including this beautiful stool by Jody and more of his work at my workshop-studio this Saturday and Sunday, 5 - 6 December between 11.00 - 16.00 daily.

A Curiosity Cabinet For All Seasons

Professor Richard Fortey and Jackie Fortey tell the story of twelve months in the life of their woodland at Grim’s Dyke in their book 

Wood for the Trees

The Long View of Nature from a Small Wood to be published 5 May 2016.

The story begins with a visit to my workshop in May 2013. The Forteys wanted to discuss the possibility of designing a curiosity cabinet. The cabinet was to house the collection of found objects in their woodland and to be made from cherry wood from the woodland.

We chose a mature tree suitable for felling and after Martin Drew, a local timber contractor, converted it to planks we started the air-drying process at my workshop for over a year, followed by drying in my kiln. 

In July of this year I began making the cabinet; the photos below show some of the work in progress. 

The finished cabinet was delivered on 12 November to the Forteys' home. On the way there I took it to the woodland where Robert Francis photographed it where once the actual cherry tree had stood (photos to follow).  

I’m delighted to give you early notice that Professor Fortey has agreed to give a talk at my workshop during Oxfordshire Artweeks in May 2016 (details of date and time to follow nearer the time). 

For more information of the forthcoming book, click here 

Wood for the Trees

The Long View of Nature from a Small Wood

That’s Oxford TV - Forest to Furniture exhibition

That’s Oxford TV recently did an interview with me at my exhibition, which you can see via this link  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rth9aLeI4Sg

or via my facebook page posts philip koomen furniture.

If you haven’t managed to see the exhibition, the footage gives you a few glimpses! There are, however, a few days left before the exhibition closes at the end of the day on 7 June.  I will be giving guided talks on Saturday and Sunday, 6/7 June @ 11 am. You are welcome to join me. There’s a 50% reduction on admission (tickets valid for all-year admission to all exhibitions, permanent and temporary ones), if you have one of my invitation cards, which you can obtain from the museum reception (I will leave these with reception staff over the w/e).

Forty Years in the Making: From Black to Grey!

Yes, time flies!
My exhibition From Forest to Furniture: Ideas in the Making, which showcases forty years of furniture design and make, will finish on 7 June at the River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames.

I will be giving a few more guided tours of my exhibition on the following dates:
Monday Bank Holiday, 25 May at 11.00

Saturday, 30 May at 11am

Sunday, 31 May at 3pm*

Saturday, 6 June at 11am

Sunday, 7 June at 11am

It would be helpful to know if you plan to join me; I can organise reduced-price museum entrance.

* There is also a joint end-of-show gathering on Sunday, 31 May with Simon Murison-Bowie whose photography exhibition Artists & Studios: Private Views** is finishing that day. Simon will give an informal talk at 2.30pm and I will start my tour at 3pm. After that you are welcome to join us outside on the riverside meadow – weather permitting – where we will offer a glass of fizz/juice/water and some nibbles.

**Artists & Studios: Private Views Through a series of evocative photographs Simon Murison-Bowie explores the relationship of artists and craftspeople with their ‘natural habitats’, the workspace.

Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All

Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All

A Creativity Symposium, supported by Arts Council England, will be held at the iconic Oxford University Museum of Natural History as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks on 

Saturday, 25 April, 10 – 5.

 

Ideas in the Making: A Creativity Symposium for All invites the public to explore creative thinking and practice through a wide range of creative activities, lectures and expert-led workshops.  

The event is open to everyone, from families looking for free, fun and creative activities in the inspiring environs of the museums, to casual observers who are curious about exploring different perspectives on creativity in everyday life.

The Symposium will begin at 10am with a free programme in the historic lecture theatre of the Natural History Museum.  Keynote speakers, Dr. Tracey Warr (Art), Professor Simon Olding (Craft), and Dr. Andrew Lack (Ecology) will explore ideas of creativity in their fields. This will be followed by a panel discussion with professionals active in creative fields, including fine art, craft, design and architecture.  

From 1pm, family-focussed, creative activities organised by a range of organisations and artists, including Oxford Brookes Fine Art students, Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Art in Action, River & Rowing Museum and the Sylva Foundation, will be taking place throughout the Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museums.  

A series of expert-led creative workshops will run parallel to these activities, facilitated by Dr. Robin Wilson (Wytham Woods), Giuseppe Boscherini (Designer, Architect) and Clair Chinnery (Senior Lecturer Fine Art, Oxford Brookes).  

Morning talks and afternoon children’s activities are free.

Tickets for the specialist creative workshops can be purchased at £5 through www.ticketsoxford.com