Hand-turned vessels from fallen trees

In the January edition of online design platform, Design Milk, writer Katie Treggiden speaks with Cockpit’s artist-woodturner Darren Appiagyei. He graduated from UAL Camberwell College of The Arts, where he studied 3D design in 2016. Darren joined Cockpit in Deptford in 2017 as the recipient of the Cockpit/Turners’ Award.

Darren’s work is about highlighting the intrinsic beauty of the wood and celebrating features such as knots, cracks, bark, or distinctive grain, which are often seen as flaws. He works only with wood from fallen trees that would otherwise be chopped up for firewood.

Sustainability and respect for his materials are at the heart of Darren’s practice: “I believe people are more willing and open to using waste; experimenting and finding solutions. People are certainly open to learning about how I use waste and understanding how even this stunning wood is waste, essentially. There is a curiosity about raw materials and a desire to change views and give wasted materials a second or third life. Ultimately the future is bright and it’s important those of us who work with waste materials continue to do so; in order to educate and inspire the next generation of makers.”

Read the full interview HERE.

Katie Treggiden is a purpose-driven writer and keynote speaker championing a circular approach to design – because Planet Earth needs better stories. She is currently exploring the question ‘can craft save the world?’ through an emerging body of work that includes her fifth book, Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure (Ludion, 2020), and a podcast, Circular with Katie Treggiden.

Design Milk has been feeding our design obsession with what’s cool and what’s next in architecture, interior design, automotive, fashion, technology and art since 2006. They’re committed to using their platform to promote new ideas, challenge the status quo and to inspire action to build inclusive communities