Kaa Chini Baltic Birch & Wenge 40"(h) x 39"(w) x 28"(d)

Kaa Chini, is the most ambitious piece of sculptural furniture I have ever attempted. I began conceiving its design about a year before beginning construction and took six months to complete the chair in 2004. I used a profile that I know to be comfortable from many other chairs that I have built. I stack laminated layers of Baltic birch plywood as I have in many of my previous chairs. In this design however, I borrowed from a very old technique that coopers use to make wooden barrels. That is, I shaped each piece of Baltic birch plywood into wedges by passing them through a planner at an angle. When the wedge shapes are assembled, they form the graceful curve of the back. For visual affect, I incorporated layers of wenge, a rich dark wood from Africa. The back and arms are carved in gently rolling furrows to mimic upholstery. The seat is shaped in wenge. This is a large chair that will comfortably support most people.

Kaa Chini is Swahili for "be seated". Swahili is a language spoken in East Africa where I lived and worked for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer.

This chair (#3 in the edition) with its matching ottoman was accepted in the Southwest Biennial at the Albuquerque Museum of Art (2006-7) and was awarded "Best of Alternative Materials". The set was purchased by collectors for their home in Carefree, Arizona."

< Click here for view with ottoman >

All my sculptural furniture is unique. However, furniture in a similar style can be commissioned.

Please contact me at my studio
Telephone: 480-429-0954 or E-mail: kerry@kerryvesper.com