Designer-maker Tony Docherty runs his growing practice from the beautiful region of Western Australia’s south coast in Denmark. Since the early nineties Tony has supplied leading wood galleries in Western Australia and the eastern states. A keen interest in exploring effective methods for sustainable and efficient use of materials is an important characteristic of Tony’s design approach. His distinctive, organic forms express a fascination with the interplay between design process and the material’s inherent features.

Tony acquires wood through diverse sources: farms, old disused buildings and bridges, and sustainable milling. His wood sources are predominately Red Tingle, Sheoak, Jarrah and Marri. He also has small amounts of wood sourced from the semi arid regions of WA such as Jam, Blackbutt and Mulga.

Phil Clarke is a country boy with a love for the bush and the wood that comes from it. He spent his formative years in the central west of New Sooth Wales before moving to the Riverina region as a young adult. His work as a teacher and school principal saw him located in various towns across the Riverena and he is now settled in Griffith.

Growing up in Mudgee, Phil commenced his love affair with wood constructing model aeroplanes and miniature yachts to race against his brothers on the local dam. Disappointed but undaunted by missing out on a place in the woodworking class at school he taught himself from books, journals, talking to experts and the all-important experimentation and problem solving. Now retired, Phil has set up a handy workshop in his garage at home.

Phil has completed many works over the years, trying to combine practical use, high standards of workmanship and simple beauty into his projects. He works mostly, but not exclusively, in Australian native hardwood highlighting their natural colours, textures and patterns by complementary and contrasting combinations into practical works of art.

Phil is also a dedicated and talented cook. A passion for the best ingredients, skilled technique and beautiful food has inspired his cutting and display boards.

Professor Lueckenhausen is a leading exponent in the field of studio furniture and design for wood, having maintained a regular national and international lecture program, including forum, conference and workshop presentations. His work has been exhibited in the United States, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Iran, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Spain and he is represented in the permanent collections of the Australian National Gallery as well as public galleries and museums in six states and territories, as well as in private collections world-wide.

Much of his work is created on commission from architects and private clients. His other major area of practice has been in paper engineering for advertising, illustration and exhibition.

Ray Brien

By George 05
From a carpentry and joinery background in Victoria, John came to Canberra in 1992 and completed an Associate Diploma with George Ingham. He subsequently exhibited in Canberra and worked on commissions for the ANU and the ACT Legislative Assembly until 1995 when he moved to Sydney and established his fine furniture and cabinet making business Designated Creations. From there John has designed, made and installed a range of furniture in homes in and around Sydney, including those of such high profile people as Andrew Denton, Anthony Field, James Packer, Danny La Rue and Kamahl. He has worked with George Freedman, one of Sydney’s most flamboyant interior designers.

Rift: Toby Muir Wilson
Toby Muir-Wilson grew up in Forest, a tiny settlement near Stanley in the north west of Tasmania. Always interested in wood and fine wood species he travelled to the John Makepeace School for Wood Design in Southern England in 1978, where he studied for two years.

He returned to Forest where he established his family home. His wife Janine is a textile artist from Switzerland and they have three sons.

His career as a wood designer maker has built slowly and steadily over the years. He has exhibited throughout Australia and is represented in many national collections.

Max Clerteau became interested in Marquetry soon after he immigrated to Australia from France in 1999. His interest in Marquetry was at first a hobby, but soon became more serious and he returned to France to study Advanced Marquetry in Paris. As a member of Sydney’s Marquetry Club he has expanded his skills experimenting with a variety of mediums and cutting techniques.

He is a toolmaker by trade, working in the precision engineering field using CNC milling machines, lathes and various specialised engineering equipment. Manufacturing components for the health, telecommunication and engineering industries. This precision and skill involved in tool making is a perfect fit for the craft of Marquetry.

Working with all types of wood veneers, natural and dyed cutting with scalpel or scroll saw he has produced a number of pieces including jewellery boxes, table tops, pictures and chess boards.
His designs are inspired from nature and have been greatly influenced by the 17th-18th Century cabinetmakers as well the art nouveau period.