Glen Michael Baghurst Formgivare Developing a new method of stretching leather onto chair frames. Perspective image of Untitled, Club Chair, 2016 Materials: Leather, powder coated iron, iron fixings Glen Michael Baghurst 1/7
Side image of Untitled, Club Chair, 2016 Glen Michael Baghurst 2/7
Details of fixings of Untitled, Club Chair, 2016 Glen Michael Baghurst 3/7
Appendix Images of project coming together. Testing metal frame and fitting foam seat. Carpenter preparing seat frame. Cutting leather from pattern. Leather panels before sewing and fixing. Mocking up leather to find neccesary form. Final fixing of leather to frame. Glen Michael Baghurst 4/7
Glen Michael Baghurst Formgivare Developing a new method of stretching leather onto chair frames. How do you think your intentions with the project realized? I believe this object exhibits a new method of stretching leather onto chair frames. It explores both stretching leather from parallel lines but also from straight lines to circles creating complex surfacing. The final application was achieved through building a tensioning device to allow the leather to be attached to the frame and keep being tensioned as the leather will stretch over time. I believe the result was strong with good feedback from the design community and a nice reaction from the exhibitions and design critics. Describe the working process After initially testing the tensioning devices on crude mock-ups I decided to choose an armchair as the final object to apply this technique. As the form explores both straight and complex surfacing. The armchair is a form I understand to build and people understand to read. It s also a nice vehicle when exploring constructive techniques as its both ornamental and functional. An important part to this project was to work with the actual material when prototyping. I work with crafts people when realizing my objects, this time I was working in thick leather (saddle hide). I had used Tärnsjö garveris leather before so I was able to find a saddle maker that was local to Malmö to use for this project. The saddle maker was trained in the Tärnsjö garveri, so I chose someone with a wealth of knowledge of leather but also the kind used typically in Sweden and this tannery. This decreased the room for error when choosing hide, working with the hide and applying it to the frame. I manufactured the frame and metal fastenings particular for this armchair but I was considerate to use shapes and fixtures that could be adapted to multiple frames and sizes. Describe the experience you gained through the project This project has given me further insight into working with leather and its capabilities when using tensioning devices. Its provided insight into what kind of forms can be achieved when draping the leather and also the limitations of when the thick hide can not work or bend. This is only something found through experimentation and working directly with the material and crafts people. Glen Michael Baghurst 5/7
Describe the public presentation The armchair was shown in the Greenhouse at Stockholm s Furniture and Light Fair 2016. This is a jury selected platform to display work for individual designers or design collectives. This was held at the beginning of February 2016. The armchair was also shown in Salone Satellite - Salone del Mobile Milan 2016. This is a jury selected platform to display work for individual designers or design collectives. This is held during April 2016. The armchair has been displayed in both international print and online publications. http://www.wallpaper.com/whouse/living#club- Glen Michael Baghurst 6/7
In which context was the Visual Arts Fund grants recognized? I have displayed the support received by Konstnärsnämnden on my website directly above the work. I have also included the logo of Konstnärsnämnden in literature handed out during the SaloneSatellite - Salone del Mobile Milan 2016. What the project has led to the future? This project has developed a distinct method and style on how to work with leather, there bye I look forward to applying it to various forms in the future. This project has also indirectly lead to commissioned work for the London Design Bienalle in the start of September 2016 and a project called Passionswege during Vienna Design Week 2016, held at the end of September 2016. Glen Michael Baghurst 7/7