This curious custom carved wooden furniture collection is more than just a formal aesthetic exercise – chairs and tables become the creative foil for exploring natural processes over time, at least in an abstract way, such as formation and erosion.

These ‘Formations’ by Joseph Walsh are intentionally framed in black and taken out of context, an attempt (perhaps) to make them seem more like timeless works of natural art than everyday pieces of dining room furniture.

The dining table twists, turns and unravels under the influence of invisible forces, like wind or a winding river. The chairs are symmetrical but still convey the sense of being worn smooth over time like sun-bleached animal bones.

Set apart and framed in white, almost as a secondary project of afterthought, the low side table is perhaps the most engaging piece of them all – it shows the impact of (conceptual) erosion, an effect enhanced by the curving grain of the wood used it its construction.

About the artisan:

“Joseph Walsh’s work reflects his passion for expression through material and form. From monumental scale sculptures to one-of-a-kind site-specific commissions and collectible design editions, every piece within his dynamic body of work reveals an intuitive relationship with making, a sympathetic use of materials and an expressive engagement with form. Inspired by the free, uplifting and ever-changing grace that can be found in nature, Joseph Walsh has developed a creative process which captures the fluidity and immediacy of a sketch – of the moment of inspiration – and in which the final form is only defined through its making.”

“Joseph Walsh was born in 1979 in County Cork on the south coast of Ireland where he established his own studio and workshop at age 20 and is still based today. With no formal training, he began to explore his passion for making, visiting master makers around Europe and developing his own mastery of wood working and deep knowledge of the material. From the outset he pursued innovation in making based on traditional techniques, often from other craft forms, which enabled new making methods and forms. This led to significant early commissions for various ecclesiastical clients, the Embassy of Japan and the National Museum of Ireland.”