If you’re looking for something a little different, you might find it at the market where John English, John Gain and Russell Walker repair, paint and construct new items from recycled timbers. Diane Bateup, with assistants David Cully and Daphne Spry, finds all the discarded goods – from furniture to household items like cups, kitchenware, glassware, curtains, cane baskets, books and picture frames. Anne Camac provides morning tea. Both she and Elisabeth Chamberlain are very adept at multitasking. They clean, chat with and serve customers all at once. Natasha Vukelich is the merchandiser who finds the perfect place for everything. David Young will assist you in delivering purchases if you live in the immediate environs.
On the Friday of my visit I was fortunate to meet Maggie, a recycler extraordinaire. She invited me into her home nearby where she has taken pre-loved furniture items, all purchased from the WRW, and by clever refurbishment has turned them into beautiful and elegant pieces. She does it all by hand. No power tools are used. I don’t know her age (Maggie appears timeless), but this artisan is an inspiration to all.
Maggie showed me how she created her beautiful home and I was sincerely impressed. Feast Watson is her product of choice as it gives a good colour and finish, for example, a favourite piece is a pine desk refinished in a warm walnut sheen. Maggie documents the recycling process, providing the WRW with “before” and “after” photographs, and I was dazzled by her creations – shelves, tables, flower stands and a stunning water feature. Maggie said time and again that coming to the Friday market is the highlight of her week.
Four talented artists associated with the WRW, Rosemary Fleming, Peter Fagg, John English and Diane Bateup, will show works at the Orchard Gallery in Waterloo from October 17. Rosemary Fleming does wonderful things, including mosaics – recycling coffee pods, tin lids and bottles. Peter Fagg repurposes wooden pallets. He makes many things from them – shelves, toys, planter boxes and more – to his own unique designs. Diane Bateup upcycles furniture and changes their use in delightful and playful ways. Tables can be made from clock-faces and broken mirrors. John English is a wizard with old bed slats, bringing them to new life. I’ve previewed the exhibition and I really like how they’ve given each item a second life.
