Andy Ward
Andy Ward — 'The Child Cabinet', 2026
The Child Cabinet is made from Oregon (Douglas Fir), the tallest evergreen conifer species of the pine family. In the early 20th Century, Canadian and US old-growth Oregon was felled and exported to Australia as a structural material and an alternative to steel. It was perfect for support beams in buildings and factory warehouses. Now, as the old buildings are being demolished and developed, the timber lies in excess. Driven by the ethos of working with existing materials, Andy revives the material value of the reclaimed beams as furniture-making material.
The cabinet confidently celebrates Oregon for its aesthetic characteristics, tight grain and history as an industrial, working material. The nail bleeds and timber imperfections are embraced and featured. For Andy, making beautiful, high-quality furniture is one of the most sustainable ways to use a material. This piece can be disassembled, ensuring its longevity for future use and reuse.
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Andy Ward is a Naarm/Melbourne-based furniture designer, maker and craftsperson. He works primarily with timber, with a design approach rooted in minimalism. His works show an affinity for subtle sculptural details and material sensitivity.
As a qualified and specialist carpenter, Andy has extensive experience working alongside a broad range of design-allied disciplines and architecture and design studios. This experience underpins his creative practice and his expertise in structural design and materiality. His approach is intuitive and playful, while remaining deeply grounded in skilled methodologies and techniques.
Andy has had a lifelong passion and connection with timber, stemming from his rural upbringing near the Grampians in Western Victoria. In 2025, he curated the exhibition, Goodbye London Plane, presented as part of Melbourne Design Week.
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Main Gallery
May 2 - June 27, 2026
Felled reimagines timber supply sources in contemporary woodworking practice. Seven makers and designers with a specialised knowledge of timber engage the material beyond newly processed, machined slabs and find possibilities in existing materials including timber waste and plant-debris as furniture and object-design making material.
Felled joins the discussion on practices of consumption through the exploration of a single material - timber. It considers the environmental impacts of extractive processes and positions new systems of working with existing materials. The exhibition celebrates makers and their specialised practices as invaluable thinkers. It is through small-scale studio practices where deep connections to and empathy with a material sparks innovation and new thinking.
Big ideas for a better future begin in the studio.
The exhibition forms part of Conscious Craft – a Craft Victoria initiative showcasing innovative creations by makers and designers who are actively considering sustainability and ethics in their production methods and use of materials.
This event is part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria
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Material: Salvaged Oregon, Lamello connectors
Dimensions: approx. 193 x 160 x 56cm
Please note when purchasing, exhibition works are to be collected when exhibition closes.
Shipping costs may be estimates. Please feel free to contact shop@craft.org.au who will be available to provide an Art Courier quote or shipping costs for larger items.