Quercus Stool III

Quercus Stool III by Cyriaque Ambroise is part of the ‘Plant Explorations’ collection, facilitated by The New Craftsmen. Earlier this year, The New Craftsmen invited a select group of craftspeople to the Economic Botany Collections at Kew Gardens to examine and creatively respond to a myriad of objects and their narratives. The collection delves into humanity’s ever resourceful and ingenious making traditions with plants. Cyriaque’s work is inspired by the dialogue between Western and Japanese cultures. The stools are designed to facilitate the Seiza (正座) posture of kneeling and sitting on the feet - the formal and traditional way of sitting in Japan. The use of oak reflects symbolism in Western culture, while the hexagonal top derives from the tortoiseshell shape, which represents longevity in Japanese culture. Cyriaque deliberately retains knots and cracks within the pieces as a reflection on ephemerality and living modestly. His meditative process involves only simple hand tools and results in highly individual pieces with soul. Due to the thickness of timber used and the technique of making from 'green' wood, these stools have natural imperfections and will change further over time.