Goodbye London Plane
Presented by MA HOUSE SUPPLY STORE
DETAILS
Free, no booking required
Ma House Supply Store
54 Johnston Street, Collingwood VIC, Australia
DATES
Thu 15 May 11am – 5pm
Thu 15 May 6 – 9pm
Opening night
Fri 16 May 11am – 5pm
Sat 17 May 11am – 5pm
Sun 18 May 11 – 12am
Wed 21 May 11am – 5pm
Thu 22 May 11am – 5pm
Fri 23 May 11am – 5pm
Sat 24 May 11am – 5pm
Sun 25 May 11am – 5pm
ACCESS
The London plane tree is a result of two types of trees (the American sycamore and the Oriental plane) that came together to become one species and was first recorded in 1548 by William Turner. Valued for its ability to adapt to urban conditions and its resistance to pollution, it was widely planted as a street tree in large cities across the globe, particularly in Melbourne.
Often maligned, London plane trees release hundreds of thousands of spores over the cooler months, triggering allergic reactions and blanketing city streets. Their roots can be unruly and hazardous with twisted limbs that obstruct powerlines and other infrastructure. After several years of studies, draft masterplans and complaints from residents and visitors alike, most of Melbourne’s London plane trees will be removed under a long-term City of Melbourne Council plan to diversify the city’s tree population. They currently make up 70 per cent of the total tree population in the inner city but in 40 years will make up only 5 per cent.
Whilst no London plane tree has ever been recorded to die of old age the tree is often sent to the chipper, the aim of the exhibition is to show how an often vilified tree can be repurposed from the city’s fallen and felled.
A group exhibition showcasing some our cities finest makers, led by Andy Ward and curated by Ben Mooney, the curation hopes to spark conversation and invite a second look at an often demonised, yet integral, part of our urban fabric, history and identity.
Participants
Andy Ward
Andy Ward is a Melbourne-based furniture designer, maker, and craftsman known for his bespoke furniture design, architectural building renovations, and fit-outs. Andy is recognised for his collaborative approach, working closely with clients, architects, and interior designers to understand their individual needs. This commitment to client-centric design has resulted in a diverse portfolio of high-quality, custom-made furniture pieces and meticulously crafted architectural projects, recently bring awarded Objects Architectural Carpentry Maker Of The Year for 2024.
Ben Mooney
Curator and collector, Ben Mooney's unique eye for styling has brought together unlikely, and often surprising combinations in both his space and home Ma House, as well as in his store. Alongside showcasing some of Melbourne's finest design talent, his space celebrates histories within found objects and the patina of time.
Bohdan Cherednyk
Bohdan's passion for design and furniture has driven him to explore and innovate within the world of bespoke creations. With a keen eye for unique and distinctive designs, he specialises in crafting designer furniture that stands out for its originality and craftsmanship.
Budd Heyser
Brandyn ‘Bud’ Heyser is a maker and owner of the Collingwood-based Forge ’13 Knives’ using ancient techniques to craft unique and beautiful objects.
Billie Civello
Billie is a designer-maker who employs a unique reductionist approach to materials, allowing their work to be dismantled or recycled for future use. This allows them to explore steel, Perspex, recycled clothing and plaster to create objects and furnishings.
Sean Brickhill
Sean Brickhill is a designer/maker based in Melbourne (Naarm/Birrarung-ga). Drawing inspiration from architecture, visual art and sculpture Sean brings a fresh take on furniture design and functional art. He believes in form before function but knows not to neglect the importance function carries in design. He aims to create works that provide traditional function in enterprising and aesthetically engaging ways.
Lauren Henderson
Lauren is a furniture designer maker who has spent the last few years working as a teacher and mentor for woodworking students. Recently, they undertook the Suikoushya woodworking course in Arashiyama, a town on the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan, introducing her to Japanese hand tools and various joinery methods.
Georgie Szymanski
Georgie Szymanski's practice explores the juncture between furniture, object and spatial practice. Her work uses materiality to investigate the intimacy between object and user and the relationship objects have within space. She draws upon everyday dialogue, new techniques and methodology to inspire works, placing emphasis on practicality and functional use.
Nick Alyward
With an interest in the manipulation of timber and metal, informed through his rural upbringing in Bangerang Country, Nicholas developed his appreciation for the essentialism of the environment. Alongside his practice Nicholas hones his production skills while working professionally in the furniture restoration industry.