November 2019

Initially set up for the 2019 Design Canberra Festival, our ‘10 Tables’ exhibition has become a permanent display at the Thor’s Hammer premises.

‘10 Tables’ features new and old designs, showcasing traditional joinery techniques and the beauty that comes from combining functionality with recycled hardwood timber.

We just had to feature this introductory speech by Nik Rubenis from the ANU’s school of art & design from the opening night of the exhibition:

What about these tables here in front of us? I think these tables are important. Not necessarily just because of how they have been designed, how they look or how they function. The choice of materials, yes, is important because as we know, Thor’s hammer as a business model is all about the reuse and recycling of materials. What’s insane is that salvaging material is often far more expensive than using virgin materials. I did a PHD on reuse and repair and all I can say is that the system we exist within has so got it all so wrong – Dig it up, consume it, discard it. These tables are the antithesis of that. There is a very clear ethical dimension and imperative here. 

These tables are designed and made locally, right here in Canberra, which means a contribution to a local economy – these tables provide a living; a job for someone; revenue that stays in a local community which develops resilience against downward turns in globalised markets; and a meaningful and skilful vocation. For me, however, above all, this work represents an ecology—an ecology of practice that extends well beyond the physicality of the object itself.

These tables are about a community. Anything that is crafted, that is built with a level of skill, represents a community of practice. Trades, crafts, which is what these tables speak of, has always been born from a transferal of knowledge—Knowledge is transmitted from one person to another. A skill is passed on: it’s taught, it’s learnt, it’s honed. From this, communities are built. This does not happen overnight—It takes years and it takes willing people to exchange and pass on what they know. I’ve worked in industry, and taught at trade and in academia for almost 20 years and In Australia we treat this exchange of knowledge—a trade, a craft—almost as flippantly as we discard our goods. 

So, when I look at these tables, I see something more than just a structure supporting a surface … In keeping with the DESIGN Canberra Festival theme of Utopia, which is what this exhibition is part of, if a table could represent a utopian vision, I think we’ve found ourselves a couple of gems. 

We have to thank Nik so much for the thought he put into his speech, and the reminder of what all this hard work can mean to the community. We couldn’t have said it anywhere near as well ourselves.

10 Tables features a range of our designs, finishes & recycled timber species - all available to order as is or to customise to your specifications. You can view most of them in the Tables & Furniture section of our website.

Visit the exhibition during normal office hours, 8-5 Monday - Friday, and 9-1 Saturdays at 10 Mildura St, Griffith ACT.

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