Curvature

Peter Fleming & David Haig

Signature Rocker by David Haig, English sycamore, 2006Entrance Table by Peter Fleming, blistered imbuya and sand cast bronze, 2009

September 24 – October 5

In the language of furniture, curves are the advanced grammar. In this course, Peter and David share their fluent expertise in the design and fabrication of curvaceous furniture, with equal emphasis on bent lamination and steam bending. Each student comes prepared with sketches of a project—such as a small table, music stand, or cabinet—that they develop during the course. More complex projects may be completed at home.

Through lecture and demonstration, the instructors cover a broad range of topics pertinent to making furniture with curved elements out of solid wood, veneer, and/or bending ply. They address aesthetic issues of design and practical issues of construction. Among the many topics they cover are the use of drawing in the design process, solid-wood bent lamination with one- and two-part forms, tapered laminations, steam bending, hot pipe bending, selection of panel substrates, jointing and matching of veneers, vacuum-pressing, and joinery options for bent parts.

Peter Fleming is Head of Furniture at the Sheridan College School of Craft and Design in Toronto, where he has taught since 1989. He also works on commission and produces furniture for exhibition from his Toronto studio. Peter was the 2000 winner of the prestigious Prix Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in the Crafts. His work has been exhibited internationally in Canada, the U.S., China, and Japan.

David Haig is one of New Zealand's leading furniture makers, with over 25 years' professional experience and an international clientele. His award-winning work is characterized by graceful use of steam-bent, curvilinear forms. David writes for Australian Wood Review and has taught in New Zealand at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and the Centre for Fine Woodworking. His website is www.davidhaigfurniture.com.

Open to intermediate and more advanced woodworkers.

Tuition: $1,250

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