Young Furniture Maker Exhibitors complete Obelisk 3 commission for John Makepeace OBE

Three designer-makers who exhibited at the 2023 Young Furniture Makers’ Exhibition and now work together under the design collective Foris have collaborated on a stunning new cabinet, Obelisk 3, with eminent furniture maker John Makepeace OBE.

Foris consists of Thom O’Nions, Josey Garbutt and Krav Metcalfe, who met whilst studying at the prestigious Rycotewood Furniture school in Oxford and established the company in 2023. They design and make contemporary British furniture to an exceptionally high standard.

John commissioned Foris to create Obelisk 3 after meeting them at last year’s Young Furniture Makers’ Exhibition.

Obelisk 3 features a blackened oak exterior and a rippled sycamore interior, utilising innovative techniques that highlight both artistic craftsmanship and functional design. This exceptional piece was recently showcased by Sarah Myerscough Gallery at the TEFAF Art Fair in Maastricht.

Josey Garbutt, Thom O’Nions, and Krav Metcalfe of Foris Studio expressed their immense pride in the project, noting the honour and challenge of working with such a renowned designer. They said, “It was a real honour to work with John on this, it’s the most exacting piece we have so far made, its curved tapering form was quite a challenge. We are beyond happy with the result.”