Furniture and woodwork at Snape Maltings

As the Suffolk Craft Society prepares for its forthcoming spring exhibition at Snape Maltings, visitors can look forward to an inspiring showcase of woodwork and furniture making. Set beside the wide skies and reed beds of the River Alde, the exhibition brings together makers whose work celebrates the beauty of natural materials and the craftsmanship of traditional techniques. 

 

 

Furniture maker Adrian Parfitt discovered his passion for woodworking at the age of eleven when he first stepped into a school woodwork shop, a fascination that has remained with him ever since. Now working part-time in what he describes as a “semi-retirement,” Adrian produces a small number of beautifully crafted pieces each year from his garden studio. His furniture reflects a deep appreciation for northern hemisphere hardwoods such as oak, ash and walnut, sourced from a trusted sawmill. Using traditional joinery techniques including mortise-and-tenon, dovetail and halving joints, Adrian creates timeless furniture pieces.  

 

Woodturner Nicholas Rowe continues to develop an expressive artistic practice that responds directly to the natural character of wood. A graduate of the Colchester School of Art Nicholas draws inspiration from the bark, grain and distinctive features found in locally sourced green, seasoned and reclaimed wood. Rather than following contemporary trends, his approach allows the material itself to guide the final form. During the turning process, hidden cracks, voids, spalting lines and rippling grain patterns often reveal themselves, prompting Nicholas to adapt the design to honour these natural qualities. Each finished piece carries the name of the wood and the place where it grew, giving the work a deeper connection to its origins. 

 

With more than twenty years of experience, Dylan Pym designs and handcrafts bespoke furniture from locally sourced hardwoods. His work is defined by an organic, flowing style achieved through traditional craftsmanship combined with a passion for steam bending. Based on a 15-acre smallholding, Dylan works closely with the natural landscape that surrounds him. Storm-damaged trees often provide timber for his furniture, while new trees are planted and managed sustainably, reflecting his strong commitment to conservation. Every piece he makes is unique and produced entirely by hand, from the initial design through to shaping, jointing, sanding and finishing. 

The exhibition will also celebrate a special contribution by Tim Germain, who has created a commemorative bench for Snape Maltings. Installed on the Henry Moore Lawn, the bench marks a significant moment in the Society’s history: the first Suffolk Craft Society exhibition held at Snape Maltings more than fifty years ago. As the Society returns to this remarkable venue for its first exhibition of 2026, the bench offers a lasting tribute to that longstanding relationship. 

 

Adding further meaning to the piece, the words of the poem On This Island by W. H. Auden have been carefully inlaid in ebony, creating a striking yet durable feature for visitors to enjoy. The craftsmanship and attention to detail reflect the hallmarks of Tim’s work, combining beauty, thoughtful design and longevity in a piece created for public enjoyment. 

 

Together, these makers bring a rich variety of approaches to working with wood, from sculptural turning and finely crafted furniture to outdoor artworks. Their work forms part of the vibrant mix of disciplines that will be on display at this year’s spring exhibition, where contemporary craft can be experienced in the inspiring surroundings of Snape Maltings beside the ever-changing waters of the River Alde.