Finbarr Lucas - Designer & Maker

Curiosities

Here you will find examples of commissions for private and commercial customers, ranging from large sculptures to bathroom shelves. Although often functional, these pieces are primarily driven by form.

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Flap (KFC commission)

One of four striking sculptures commissioned by a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Doncaster.

The whole commission was a lovely project to work on. Alan gave me an open brief to produce drawings for sculptures, and chose four with only minimal changes. This piece sits outside the restaurant.

Some of the shapes are ideas I've had in my head for many years, but no-one has ever asked me to make them before. However, actually realising them was a real challenge as the scale of the pieces is gargantuan, certainly the largest sculptural pieces I've ever made. This piece is 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and takes at least three people to move around. It rather reminds me of a triffid.

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Curls (KFC commission)

The dark wood spots and end caps are required by Disability Act legislation, which asks for contrasting colours on pieces in public spaces.

Alan asked for these elements to be made from iroko, a tropical wood which is considered endangered. However, due to its acid and alkali resistance, iroko is favoured for laboratory benches, and I was able to source wood reclaimed from a school chemistry lab.

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Crush (KFC commission)

One of my perennial shapes is this crushed form which I return to time and again.

This piece provided particular challenges to the finisher, R Mortimer, who had to get his arm into every loop and curve in order to seal the surface!

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Multi (KFC commission)

Alan loved the Crush sculpture design, and asked if I could make a set of three smaller ones all standing together in a group.

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Splat toilet seat

This design is both functional and comfortable.

The extraordinary shape was a sculptural challenge to create, and the result is often remarked upon by visitors...

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Reflection

This mirror was a wedding present for the client's brother.

We talked about all kinds of designs, and finally reached the idea of the moon reflecting off the sea at night and the shapes the light makes on the water. The wooden surrounds are useful shelves for bathroom stuff.

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Billow Shelf

I made this shelf as part of the Tree 37 project, where many woodworkers made pieces from the same beech tree.

I'd never tried to make a sculptural piece like this with solid timber. It required a complete rethink of the construction process. Working with this beautiful beech, with all its inconsistencies and variety, was so unlike working with commercial wood.

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Flap Mirror

Walking along the sea-front, I was inspired by seeing people's scarves flapping in the breeze.

The resulting form, made from birch plywood, is both fanciful and practical. It works well in a bathroom.

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Crush CD Shelf

I'd been playing around with the idea of a crushed shelf for a while.

I spent ages drawing it out, adjusting the contours, before I started building it. It's such a satisfying shape, and has become my most popular design.