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Original, whimsical and imaginative are just some descriptions of the fine contemporary,
reproduction furniture and custom designs produced by Churchill fellow, Michael Borton.

STATEMENT

I am totally opposed to clear felling of forests and hate to see waste. "I like to use recycled and salvaged timber where ever possible".

I like to combine traditional and modern methods of construction and design in bringing to life and enhancing the raw characteristics and natural beauty of our native timbers.

All my pieces must be individual and of the highest quality, they must look good and feel even better, giving lasting pleasure to their owner for a lifetime.

Since returning from the Churchill fellowship in 1999, my work has reflected the lessons and experiences that were gained. With each piece I am testing the skills I have learnt from the many workshop visits and courses undertaken.

Michael Borton

Born 1961 Grafton NSW

Since finishing my apprenticeship as a joiner in Grafton I have not stopped learning about my trade. In 1986 I traveled Australia changing jobs as I needed and in the end as they interested me, learning new skills with the dream of one day working for myself - preferring to get as much experience as possible beforehand. I worked in Canberra, Bendigo, Albury, Perth & Brisbane before finally settling in Murwillumbah in 1990, working in a joinery making built-in furniture for Paul Hogan's mansion and joinery for the famous of Beach Hotel of John Cornell in Byron Bay.

In 1991 I started exhibiting, drawing on my experiences to create quality pieces. In 1993 I started working for myself doing kitchens, joinery, furniture and antique restoration working in all styles and materials on request. I have continued to learn, taking courses in woodcarving (Laurence Otto), Marquetry (Geoff Hannah), French Polishing (Paul Gregson) and will continue into the future. Today, I still do 1 or 2 kitchens a year, but now antique restoration is a big part of my business as I teach it for Adult Education and Camp Creative and assist Geoff hanna in Qld Joinery. I rarely do more than this as fine furniture is on the increase as my reputation for quality workmanship continues.

I make exhibition pieces once or twice a year which are totally of my own creation using Australian timbers only, starting with the seed of an idea scribbled on a piece of paper with approximate sizes, side notes with references to books/magazines/timbers/finishes, etc. These ideas are then filed so that at a later date I can recapture the threads of thought at a time when I feel like making it, or the right piece of timber comes along.

Most of my pieces have carvings on them and lean to the Art Nouveau style. Whilst my ideas don't come from the past, my design process draws on elements to help me visualise proportions, shape and line of the piece I am creating.

I see a lot of pieces in magazines that are said to be new ideas drawn from peoples' imagination with a philosophy on the pieces' creation, and in almost every case, because of my background in antiques I can see elements of numerous styles and designs.

I have recently returned from my Churchill Fellowship tour

• Where I spent 3 months studying antique and contemporary furniture design in the USA, England, France and Austria
• Doing courses in wood carving with Ian Norbury, Ben Harmes and the Giesler Moroder School
• Furniture polishing at West Dean College with Bruce Luckhurst
• Being able to observe in the workshops of the V & A Museum, Royal Collection and Lord Linely.

These experiences have not only broadened my knowledge and honed my skills but given me a world wide view that has only strengthened my ideals and goals for the future.