FURNITURE by

Artlantique

Jonathan Singleton

Shop & Show-room of exclusive artists of BCN

at Hotel ME Barcelona’s lobby

info@bestbcn.me / +34629394295

Artlantique

THE BIRTH OF ARTLANTIQUE The fishermen from the West coast of Africa decorate their boats with gaily coloured geometric designs. Once the fishermen return to the beach after the days fishing, the boats, seen from a distance form an extensive colourful mosaic. Attracted by the beauty of this scene, we asked ourselves if after their long, ocean going life, the wood could be in good enough condition to begin a new life. To be reincarnated into furniture. For the Africans the concept of recycling is a life style not a fashion. The question was if the wood after being a sea going vessel would radiate the same energy and preserve the history of the fishermen. FORMING A TEAM As our idea began falling into shape, we searched for old abandoned boats, and formed a team of local craftsmen. The masters and their apprentices became

passionate about the project. Together we have created a wider scope for design, which has created strong social and cultural bonds.

THE PROCESS

Seeking out old boats, that have passed their useful life, and negotiating the price with the fishermen was the first step. Once the boats were transported to

our workshop the craftsmen discussed how to take full advantage of the wood, according to the size of the boat and it’s colour combinations. This is a job that

requires great skill and sensitivity.

THE PRODUCT

Every piece of Artlantique furniture is made by local craftsmen, and comes from West African fishing boats. Each design is unique, as no two boats are ever

the same. The “Samba” wood has in no way been treated

OBJECTIVES

The raw material is the boat itself. Apart from the wood, it is also, on one hand the life of the boat and that of it’s master and family. The history of a

livelihood. And on the other hand, the union of fishing and carpentry in Africa. The wood of the boat doesn’t hide the thousands of nautical miles navigated

along the African coast. Therefore the value is not only in the appearance but also in the history of each boat. To create a contemporary, modern design,

which is above all 100% African, as much in the material as in the making.

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Jonathan Singleton

High class furniture

Arrived in Barcelona 17 years ago, disappointed by the lack of openings that his studies in architecture afforded him at the time.

In this period he has developed his enthusiasm for working with metal - a passion that had manifested itself in England through the restoration of classic cars and making an

astonishing series of steel furniture.

His training in architecture has left him with a taste for clean forms that are often reminiscent of architectural or engineering elements, such as the aluminium and glass

table that call to mind the arches of a railway bridge or the wavy laminated wood sofa that seems to hark back to the benches in Guell park.

Jonathans furniture is imbued with tremendous plastic forcefulness, although he does not like to talk of Sculpture, as he has always been more concerned with function

than blind expression ?As human beings ( theoretically) we respond with varying emotions to the spaces that we encounter depending on personal tastes and experiences. I

am interested in building emotions into furniture, they shouldn’t be relegated to being simply 'pretty' objects within an interior. An easy chair which heightens ones sense of

security, a dining table that defines a discussion area or a bed as a platform for the ritual of rest?

He feels close to the way craftspeople work as this gives him the freedom to improvise and enter into dialogue with the material he is transforming. This approach is very

different to that of the industrial designer who calculates his or her project down to the last millimeter before work begins.

He has worked in Catalonia for 17 years and exhibited in New York, New Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Zurich and Ibiza. The artist creates his limited series furniture from a

small workshop near Barcelona and also works on projects for hotels, restaurants, bars and businesses in Barcelona, Madrid, Luxembourg, Paris, Stuttgart etc?

He designs and builds unique pieces, made to measure for particular orders.

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