2023

Roland Smith

Artist Statement

I make bespoke and limited edition furniture in Derbyshire, mostly from a range of sustainably grown hardwoods.

My main drive is to create practical items which have a sculptural element to the design. I aim to use angles and curves in such a way that something new appears every time the viewer changes their perspective.

I have recently been exploring new methods of incorporating digital techniques into my work. My library steps design uses joints almost impossible to create by hand, but just feasible when controlled by a computer. The latest design will also double up as a stool.

Artist Website

These are the Japanese-inspired shelves I showed at Wirksworth in 2022, but since then I have added the cupboard and the distinctive door handles. The shelves are in English Oak and Ebonised Walnut. The legs are in English Ash. H:180cm, W:140cm, D:24cm

The rear legs of this set of library steps are in steam-bent English Oak and the steps are in English Brown Oak. This model was displayed at Wirksworth in 2022 and I expect to have a variation on the theme ready by September. H;171cm, W;40cm, D39cm

I don’t usually use resin in furniture as I prefer to keep it completely natural, but I compromised here as it was such an amazing piece of Yew. The legs gave me the opportunity take a much more sculptural approach than is usual with “river tables” . H;40cm, L;81cm, W;44cm

The inspiration was from the shape of a bird, after being asked by a customer whether I have ever made a magazine rack. I expect to be making a couple more over the Summer, probably incorporating a layer of burr walnut on the inside. H;43cm, W;40cm, D;20cm