Christine Meyer-Eaglestone is a contemporary marquetry artist from Leeds. Chris Tribe is a highly skilled furniture designer maker from Blubber Houses near Harrogate who has exhibited nationwide. They are currently collaborating on a series of furniture entitled ‘Opposites,’ a range of high-end, one-off, exciting furniture that is instantly recognisable, compelling and unforgettable. Circles & Stripes is the first in the series.
You would need a certain amount of chutzpah to incorporate Circles & Stripes into your interior. The bold geometric shapes and contrasting hues command attention. It is furniture without compromise, taking a stand against the blandness of much contemporary furniture. Its quirkiness is eye-catching while the quality of its workmanship is rare.
The sideboard is composed of a central carcase holding six walnut fronted, push-to-open, hand-dovetailed oak drawers. The dark walnut contrasts with the predominantly maple background of the surround
Circles & Stripes was unveiled to much favourable comment at the prestigious ‘Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design’ exhibition in Cheltenham in August 2011, where its striking design made it the stand-out exhibit. In September it went on to wow visitors to Tennants Auction Centre in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, where it formed part of the Northern Contemporary Furniture Makers’ 5th Annual Exhibition presenting outstanding skill, original design and craftsmanship.
More recently it was exhibited to similar acclaim at Liverpool Design Show, as was Christine’s collection of mirrors, boxes, chests and wall-panels at the Northern Contemporary Crafts Fair in Manchester.
Christine, who trained in fine art, uses her extensive collection of both natural and ‘reconstructed’ wood veneers as a palette to create each unique design. Her method of hand cutting allows the design to evolve organically under her knife. Once Christine has laid her veneer design on to a man-made substrate, Chris then takes over to joint the panels to form the structure.
Chris and Christine will continue their artistic collaboration with further pieces in the ‘Opposites’ series. If you want to see the original ‘Circles & Stripes’ sideboard for yourself it is on display at Designer Makers Gallery, Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire.
Further details at www.christribe.co.uk and www.cme-art.co.uk
