Partu (2020) is the Walmajarri word for ‘skin’, and is Trent Jensen and Johnny Nargoodah's latest collaborative project experimenting with this combination of disparate sensibilities.
Credit: Romello Pereira
This body of work is designed by Trent Jensen and Johnny Nargoodah. Both designers have their own lens through which to view the processes and inspirations governing these works. ‘Ngumu Jangka Warnti’ (2020) is the Walmajarri phrase for ‘whole lot from rubbish’. The design of this collection began with a trip to the local scrap metal yard, in a vague search for anything interesting.
Credit: Romello Pereira
From Trent’s perspective, the project is an experiment in the generation of hybrid material culture. "Material Culture Theory says that the artefacts we create embody the values, ideas, attitudes and assumptions (the culture) of the creator," says Trent.
Credit: Romello Pereira
From Johnny’s perspective, the project has a few different aspects to it.
"The first is 'making' - we use rubbish, recycled frames, we make chairs and cabinets and use the leather to make it look good, to make it furniture that is usable and looks nice."
Credit: Romello Pereira
"The second is 'recycling' - it is important to reuse old rubbish we find, and the leather makes it special."
Credit: Romello Pereira
'History' is the third aspect Johnny refers to. "The leather gives it a reference to the history of Fitzroy Crossing and station life," he says.
"Saddlers used to come and repair saddles using leather, making twisted rope out of cowhide."
Credit: Romello Pereira
"This is what I think about when we are using the leather; and sensory - the smell of that leather is so good. It brings back memories, triggers those old memories of walking around the saddle room in Noonkanbah shed. There is a sensory response, that’s important," says Johnny.
Credit: Romello Pereira
Johnny says the collaborative process and experimentation is key to this project. "Trent and I work together on this, we both sketch, look at each other’s sketches and from there we mix it up."
Credit: Romello Pereira
Trent and Johnny designed these pieces as they made them, starting with a mesh substrate cut vaguely in the shape of a chair, and together beat the material with hammers, concrete blocks and tree stumps until it took on a form that they both liked.
Credit: Romello Pereira
This beaten geometry was then softened by laminating New Zealand saddle leather to skin the mesh, masking its geometry and softening its idiosyncratic undulations.
Credit: Romello Pereira
UNSW Art & Design lecturer and designer, Trent Jansen and Nyikina man, Johnny Nargoodah have been collaborating in the design and crafting of collectable furniture since they met in Johnny’s home town of Fitzroy Crossing in 2016. Their Partu (skin) project is being exhibited at the 2020 Melbourne Design Week.