The Alan Peters Online Furniture Award 2021 – winners announced

Showcasing the best of British design and making, the winners of this annual award, celebrating the life and work of Alan Peters OBE, have finally been announced, in an online award ceremony which aired yesterday via Jeremy Broun's website.

Introduced by Organiser Jeremy Broun, the winners were unveiled by Group Editor of The Woodworker & Good Woodworking, Tegan Foley. Judges' comments followed, as well as those from the furniture makers behind the winning pieces.

If you weren't able to watch the premiere live, please do so at your leisure. The video link to the award ceremony is available on the homepage, as well as links to a virtual exhibitionThe Wilson Gallery connection, plus an exhibition of past winners' work.

The winners were announced in descending order, before third, second, and finally first place, which was awarded to Andrew Lapthorn for his wonderful 'Remnant' table. 

1ST PRIZE: Andrew Lapthorn's 'Remnant' table – £,1000 Axminster Tools voucher   

Inspired by Donatello’s sculpture, the table uses reclaimed/salvaged timbers from around the world. While showcasing the wide variety and inherent beauty of wood, the table's haunting demeanour alerts us to what we have to lose. Employing a fundamental skill required in working wood, planing true and square, without the need for a complex framework, 21 different types of wood are free to move as one, the top and apron holding each other flat through the use of a long mitre joint. Supported on a single leg made from 4,500-year-old bog oak, once consumed and now given up by the earth, it's testament to the strength and durability of wood. The timbers used are bog oak, oak, maple, sycamore, utile, holly, teak, wenge, cherry, plane, fir, walnut, ash, pine, mahogany, yew, poplar, elm, beech, rosewood and iroko.
The judges thought this was an arresting and original piece, reflecting the stack laminating technique used by Alan Peters in his bowl tables, which allows the wood to shrink and expand as one. The piece was also given the approval of Alan Peters’ widow as first choice, so a big congratulations to Andrew.

2ND PRIZE: Aidan Donovan's 'Waga' table – £500 Triton Tools voucher

Made in solid elm and inspired by Japanese and Mid-Century design, Aidan's coffee table explores the idea of contrast and harmony. It features an irregular hand-carved surface texture, which is juxtaposed with the precision of double sliding dovetails.
This judges commented that the piece excellently reflected the spirit of Alan Peters' work, in terms of both technique and aesthetics, exploiting the unique properties of home-grown solid timber.

3RD PRIZE: Nick Newlands' 'Art Chest' – £300 Judges' cash prize 

Nick's three-drawer art chest was inspired by drawing office cabinets used to store large format velum sheets, but the form reduced in size to accept A3 versions. The drawers increase in depth from top to bottom, the carcass sides gently curved to give weight to the base.
Agreeing that the chest was a refined and understated piece of cabinetmaking, the judges were impressed by the sculpted drawer fronts, which they thought provided added interest.

HIGHLY COMMENDED – Thomas Eddolls' 'Dune' hall table

Thomas' hall table incorporates a carcass with through dovetails in oak with solid compound curved legs in cherry, shaped on the spindle moulder and finished by hand. The hand-fitted dovetailed drawer features a sculpted drawer front. 
The judges commented that the piece combines functionality, sculpture, cabinetry and an echoing of the Cotswold School (tradition) in its exposed carcass joints. 

COMMENDED – Phillip Garner's 'Hajime' stool

Inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry and conic-section geometry, Phillip's stool is an exploration of planes of intersection between curved and straight lines.
Calling is an unpretentious, simple and understated piece, the judges agreed that the stool fulfils its function with a touch of panache.

Virtual exhibition

A virtual exhibition of pieces entered can be viewed online, showing the top three entries, runners up, other selected exhibits (in no order or ranking), as well as exhibits from the judges: Jeremy Broun, Andrew Lawton, David Barron and Hattie Speed. There's also a link to The Wilson – Cheltenham’s art gallery & museum – where a small collection of Alan Peters’ furniture aptly resides. When the award was changed to an online event, The Wilson, while unable to host an online exhibition on their own website, has agreed to participate here.

A showcase of winners' work is also featured in the May edition of The Woodworker & Good Woodworking, which is on sale 23rd April. If you don't already, why not subscribe

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