JOSEPH WALSH – A MASTERPIECE IN WOODWORKING
Furniture maker and designer Joseph Walsh is set to reveal a unique elm sculptural bench at Wood land, the ninth yearly design showcase curated by Alice Stori Liechtenstein, the mind behind Schloss Hollenegg. This event takes place within the castle’s historic chambers throughout May, in partnership with Designmonat Graz. It kicks off with a public preview on Friday, May 3rd, and continues from Saturday, May 4th until Friday, May 31st, 2024.
WOOD LAND dives deep into the essence of the forest and its prime asset: wood. It aims to enlighten visitors on various woodworking techniques, the diversity of tree species, and their essences. Furthermore, the display serves as a platform to discuss critical issues like climate change, forestry practices, and the pursuit of sustainable wood use.
Elm Sculptural Bench, Copyright Joseph Walsh Studio
Under the direction of Alice Stori Liechtenstein, the exhibit will spotlight the innovations of twenty-one emerging designers, weaving their work into the narrative of three centuries of historical wood craftsmanship inherent to the castle’s structure.
The exhibit showcases a broad spectrum of wooden products, ranging from furniture and lighting solutions to flooring, panelling, and both functional and ornamental household items—some of which are usually exclusive to castles. Alongside these practical items, unique art pieces and conceptual installations will celebrate wood’s remarkable adaptability, tracing its role and crafting methods from historical to modern times.
For this event, Joseph Walsh has crafted a singular piece of furniture using the wood from a century-old elm tree once standing in Schloss Hollenegg’s park, which fell victim to Elm disease. Despite its end, the tree’s wood proved ideal for furniture making. Harvested in the summer of 2022, Walsh embraced the challenge of creating a piece that not only showcases the tree’s inherent beauty but also tells its story.
Walsh expressed a desire to create a piece that preserves as much of the tree’s original character as possible—its grain, colour, texture, and the way its form echoes the tree’s natural patterns. He hopes this work and future pieces will honour the legacy of the elm, reflecting on the time and care necessary to responsibly utilize the wood and ensure the piece’s enduring relevance and connection to future generations. The creation of a new seat at Hollenegg signifies the addition of a modern counterpart to the many historic seats within the castle, marking a cycle of renewal where a tree is reborn as a piece of furniture—a concept once common, yet increasingly rare today.
