Charity auction showcases recycled furniture

Queensland College of Art Griffith University Interior Design students have given furniture destined for the rubbish heap a new lease of life.

The twenty-five students, who designed and ‘remade’ the pieces, will sell their work in a silent auction on December 17 with proceeds going to charity.

Student Louisa McCoy used stainless steel boxes, ply and recycled foam to produce seats and storage containers.

“They’re boxes which sit inside one another and can be used in a variety of ways,’’ she said.

Other works include chairs, beds, storage containers and coffee tables.

“The project draws attention to the irresponsible attitude of commercial space refurbishments where discarding and wastage is common,’’ Lecturer Sam Di Mauro said.

“These works have been given a new beginning and would make innovative Christmas gifts so we encourage the public to come along and put a bid on them.”

Once the furniture was designed, the students worked with upholsterers, cabinetmakers and a metalworker to produce their pieces.

“They don’t have a lot of fabrication skills so they need to learn the language of working with a fabricator,’’ Mr Di Mauro said.

“It was a great opportunity for these students to use the guiding principles of recycling and reuse in this situation.”

Renascentwill be held at the Grey Street Studios, painting studio room 6.11, from 9am to 5pm from Dec 12-23 with the furniture auction held on December 17 from 5pm.

Images available upon request.