The Chronicle chats to Tim Turner who has delivered schools crafted timber buddy seats to encourage connection.
I came across the idea online; a school in the UK had a buddy seat and if anyone at the school felt a little down or lonely, they sat on the seat. Anyone feeling open to sharing would come sit and chat. I loved the idea and made 3 seats for Aum Festival and they were so well received I decided to do something a little closer to home too.
A couple of calls to friends in the building industry and some online searching and I had all the materials needed.
Inglewood Timber in Taranaki gave me all the wood and freighted free too.
Thanks to Anon supplier in Hamilton for all the screws and bolts to assemble and install, and Harty’s for brackets to fix to concrete.
Raglan Auto and Marine lent me their little truck to deliver to the schools and I am thankful to all our sponsors without whom this project would not have come to fruition.
Raglan Area School received 2 for both school levels.
Te Uku and Te Mata also have them, as well as the Raglan Kindy on Stewart St.
I’m making Waitetuna school one this week.
The material is untreated timber so each of the schools will get their art classes involved to prime and paint with each school’s own flavour, so the kids will be involved with the process and make some good connections to the concept of the project too.
I work from my creative space at home where I create mixed media artworks from found and recycled materials; I work with metal, wood and also do digital imagery. An exhibition is in the pipeline.
I am happy to chat with anyone interested in wanting me to create commissioned one-off pieces of furniture and art.
“Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance”
Tim Turner
Mobile +64 022 6008171
