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In a sacred temple village in rural Indonesia, there lives a girl named Maui. Here, nestled between the mountains and ancient sacred sites, her youth and zest for life roam; her laughter fills the streets.
Maui is the muse of her father, a master craftsman and woodworker – a storyteller carving and nurturing century-old timber for TheEND’s first collection.
The Story of a Generational Woodworker
“It’s a way of life,” Maui’s father says. “I was born to be a woodworker”. A craft that was in his blood – with skill and passion engraved, seemingly, from the very beginning – passed down from father to son, on and on through the generations.
Originally a youthful experimentation with shapes and forms, our collaborator is now the owner of a factory specialising in timber products. His pieces have evolved: richly detailed, lovingly carved. With time, energy and dedication, these living artworks define TheEND’s luxury: art imbued with feeling, designed to evoke emotion.
For the timber is a part of him, the finished piece is an extension of his family. “These pieces are meant to connect people and generations,” he says. “I hope that when people are seated at one of my tables, they can appreciate the generations of hands that pass through them – a seat into our lives.” As the father of generations, “Woodwork is my life,” he says.
“It’s my passion and love, just like the love I have for my family.” A carved, unique assemblage of pieces named for his daughter, whose youthfulness and playfulness are evident in the forms, textures and liveliness of the Maui Collection.
From their village, his factory, to the dining room. A co-creation of stories and experiences – by his legacy, for yours.
A Full-Circle, Handcrafted Process
To witness this craftsmanship is mindblowing, breathtaking, and absolutely mesmerising. Over a period of twelve weeks, the natural materials undergo a metamorphosis from their original state to a statement piece – alive and overflowing with stories.
It all starts with timber trunks of varying sizes, 50-100 years old. They sit to the side, waiting, as a repurposed 1950s truck engine is manually tugged into action by three men pulling the starter rope in tandem.
The conveyor belt, machine roller and vertical blade start to whir while the trolley is prepared. Supported by workers on either side, they slowly push the fitted trunk along old railway tracks towards the blade, cut into lengthy pieces. Back and forth, one slice at a time.
There’s a hum in the air as this new project begins, as the art continues. The luxury of craftsmanship, going against the grain.
With the trunk’s bark peeled away to fire the ovens, the sliced timber cooks for seven days. Essential to ensuring longevity, it’s continually manned and overseen to feed the constant flames as the slabs dry.
In the cavernous shed where timber slabs are piled high, cooled pieces are cut to size and run through the press plane, before being clamped and glued (six to eight planks to create one board). After drying and further trimming, the next stage of handiwork commences.
Using an iron chisel and wooden mallet, the artisan carves the fluid patterns – a slow and steady practice that yields the perfectly imperfect result. The Morpheus’ sweeping lines scoop inwards and upwards; Maui’s hammered texture is implemented with dedication. Feeling transfers from hand to tool to timber, the maker marking each piece before its story continues in the home.
From beginning to finished piece, it’s a full-circle system: utilising every element of the timber trunk, connecting cultures and histories, a living piece that facilitates experiences and memories in the making.
A Ciggy Break with Our Maker
Why timber? “It’s a piece of the earth. It’s natural. It smells and feels real.”
What do you love about your craft? “The freedom. We experiment with timber, using traditional techniques, passed down through generations.”
What is unique about each piece? “No two pieces are alike. Just like us (people), they have scars and marks unique to each piece and its process.”