About Dean Malcolm Resident master craftsman

Dean Malcolm was born in Perth in 1965 and has been wood turning since he built his first lathe out of a old lawnmower at age 14! After completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Design in 1985 he moved to Denmark, Western Australia to pursue his passion in woodturning.

Since 1986, Dean has been teaching, demonstrating and sharing his enthusiasm for woodturning throughout Australia. This includes over ten years establishing and teaching in a woodcraft course through TAFE in Albany, Western Australia.

Starting with small craft woodturning, Dean has progressed through production work, commissions and exhibition pieces. In 1995, Dean Malcolm's Woodturning Studio was opened to the public.

The work produced in his workshop is greatly varied, from intricately turned and carved boxes, bowls, hollow vessels, fine furniture pieces and exquisite decorative works.

His finely crafted pieces have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in Australia and overseas and have found homes in such far away places as the collection of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace and the Detroit Institute of the Arts, U.S.A. Dean has completed numerous commissions private and public including the Albany Civic Mace in 1990-91.

“Nothing remains the same.
It’s all about exploring new ideas and new designs…My work is a reflection of my upbringing, my life
and all that I have come to be.”

Dean Malcolm
(“Wood Dreaming” by Terry Martin)

Following three decades as a designer-maker, Dean’s work is constantly evolving as he finds new ways to sustain his practice into the future. He is strongly committed to investing in technology and manufacturing processes that transform his ideas into reality.

Dean’s recent work takes him on an exploration of computer numeric control (CNC). After dismantling old computer controlled machines such as photocopiers and photographic mini-labs, and salvaging their working parts, he has been able to build customised woodworking machines. This new direction combined with Dean’s experience in 3D computer design is opening up many exciting possibilities.

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The making of this ornamental hollow form requires 30 years of hand skills in woodturning, working in concert with cutting edge technologies. An element of risk is ever present in the making of this intricate form, therefore patience and concentration is essential.

This video shows part of the making process, here in its final phases, being cut by a computerised router that has been specially designed and programmed by Dean.

The Making of “Monostria Spiralis” form in Jarrah

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent…”

Calvin Coolidge

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