Oliver Wilcox — 'Linenfold' Chair, 2026

The linenfold technique—carving timber to resemble draped linen—emerged in the late medieval period, when linen was a precious commodity reserved for the wealthy, while timber was abundant and readily accessible. Today, in an age of fast fashion and disposable furniture, that hierarchy has been reversed: fabric is abundant, while old-growth timber has become increasingly rare and valuable.

The Linenfold Chair is carved from Douglas Fir Pine salvaged from demolition works at my gallery. By applying an historic craft technique to reclaimed material, the work draws attention to the changing value of materials, while celebrating timber as a precious and finite resource.

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Oliver Wilcox is an artist, designer, collector and director of Lost Profile Studio, based in Coburg, Victoria. At Lost Profile, he designs and fabricates a restrained collection of Art Deco and Brutalist-inspired lighting, furniture, homewares and hardware, produced in-house and made to order. Alongside this commercial practice, Oliver develops an independent body of artwork encompassing painting and one-off sculptural furniture. His work frequently incorporates salvaged timber and other reclaimed materials, drawing on traditional craft techniques, vernacular forms and the history of objects. Through these works, he explores materiality, craftsmanship and shifting notions of value, bringing familiar forms and processes into a contemporary context.