The Makers - Sebastian Cox
It was pouring with rain when I arrived at Sebastian Cox’s workshop, down beside the river at Woolwich. When I came inside it was so inspiring to find such a hive of activity, Sebastian has several workshops and a very young looking team of Craftsmen and Designer Makers.
I had contacted Sebastian Cox because of his interest in British woods and sustainability, his ideas are very exciting and fresh. I’d also seen he was a member of the South East Makers Club so I knew he was local. Before I visited his studio I imagined I might be coming away with pictures of saws or planes but when I spoke to him he was keen his work shouldn’t be romanticised. His favourite tool was a hand held power tool that cut joints, joints that would be invisible once the furniture was constructed and he spoke passionately about not charging clients for hand cutting joints that wouldn’t be seen. He was also really keen to show me his CNC machine that is used mostly for big bespoke projects. This computer numeric control machine threw up all kinds of interesting questions about a makers practice – not least in this case when making a portrait, because it is not operated by Sebastian but by one of his team Jack Hubury.
The scale and the shinny barrel won me over though! and in the end I think it is a good reflection on Sebastian’s practice which seems so ambitious and forward thinking... Many many thanks to Sebastian and Brogan for having me! You can find out more about Sebastian Cox here , and you'll find a particularly interesting article about the CNC machine here.
Work in progress - silk organza pieces before stitching
Work in progress - Portrait of a Furniture maker
This work is part of my project 'The Value of Making' and will be on show at Collect Open 2018. My project is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Collect 22-25 February 2018
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York's HQ
King's Road
London SW3
