Thomas Throop

For as long as I can remember I have always loved wood – the smell, color, texture, grain pattern and the feel of it. Furniture seemed an inevitable way to embrace that love. My training in England at The John Makepeace School lent structure to that embrace in both creative and practical ways. I came to understand that designing and making furniture is not only a means to problem-solving but also a form of expression. That expression manifests itself in the design, function, choice of material and technique. It incorporates my clients’ needs. It reflects part of my character.

The Pizzicato music stand is the latest in a series of music stands that began in the late 90’s. Initially I was commissioned by a flautist to create a stand that was both functional and sculptural and enjoyed the interplay of the two. As the series evolved I began making the stands for exhibition. The designs have changed but the overall form has been maintained, a three-legged base for stability and an articulating top. The form lends itself to many visual interpretations and each in the series reflects a different character. On the Pizzicato, I have carved into the curly maple head to create arcing shadow lines and undulating surfaces on the backdrop of the beautiful grain of the maple. The walnut base is simple yet strong, leading the eye upward to the head and is punctuated by the round knob that controls the rise and fall.

Most of the furniture I make is done to commission. Although the pieces vary – desks, beds, cabinets, benches and the like – the one constant among all of these forms is the striving for unique expression of design, craft and material. Creating a union of these elements and finding the balance among them is challenging, occasionally frustrating, and ultimately rewarding.

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