Great Detail Comes In Small Packages

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Art

Sunday, 22 May 2011 02:30

By D Francis

Antigua St John's - Desmond James, now 70, started making small things when he was young. The miniature antique West Indian furniture maker crafted his first piece, a coal pot, at age five.

He found a lump of clay out by the pond in Clare Hall, and used a piece of wood to beat and press into shape. "People were amazed at how I did it and encouraged me to continue my craft," he said.

As he grew, he began collecting scraps of wood, and used pieces of broken glass to shape the scraps into pieces of furniture.

“I am self taught," James said. "Although my father was a joiner, I was never lucky to see him at work, believe or not. I would look on a chair or table and can make one exactly like it, after studying it for a while of course.”

James credits J Browne, who saw his work and asked his mother whether he could work along with him on a house he was building by himself at the time. After seeing James' potential, Browne quickly promoted him to carpenter.

During this time, James continued to receive small jobs, until a few years ago when he retired as a carpenter/joiner and started spending his time making miniature furniture.

A visit to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, where his exhibition is now on display, takes you down memory lane with the type of furniture mostly remembered for being well put away in your grandmother’s house, remaining untouchable due to its unique features.

James gets a particular sense of satisfaction from using the special skills and touch that only these pieces can bring out, which are not commonly found in furniture these days. He referred to furniture like the old time food safe, Morris chairs, bureau, wife beds, cabinets, planter’s chairs, dolly safe, and what’s not stands.

James is currently working on an old-time house, miniature style, which is already creating a buzz, and said although far from completion, it will be a masterpiece with lots of history.

This artisan believes all schools should teach students the art of woodwork, as there is so much that they can gain from it.

"There are too many loose young people out there right now, with not even a single skill," James noted. "This is a good place to start. Look at me - I started young, and right now I don’t think there is anything out there I cannot do.”

James' exhibition runs until June 25, and will be followed by a workshop.

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