Neil and Pam Erasmus are professional furniture designer/makers, who work from their studio in the forested hills area of PICKERING BROOK in PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Their work includes one-off commissions, limited edition production runs and exhibition works. Neil was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1954. In 1974 he started an apprenticeship with his farther.

Working wood is very much in Neil’s blood, it having been passed down from father to son through 3 generations, with Neil now having been at it for over 25 years. Neil, in turn taught Pam these skills and the two have now been working together full-time for the last 14 years.

In addition to their busy schedule completing commissions and orders, both Neil and Pam teach at the School of Wood, Dwellingup ; Pam delivers the "Introductory Woodcraft for Women" module while Neil teaches the Ergonomics or chair design unit to the final year students. They also conduct several set project courses and offer one-to-one training at their studio. Neil also teaches interstate and in 2002 will deliver a chair and table module to the final year students at the Australian School of Fine Furniture in Tasmania.

In recent years Neil has become quite well known for his regular articles in the Australian Wood Review magazine. Writing is something he enjoys, and in the future he plans to write a book or two on some of the finer points of his craft.

Their design philosophy subscribes to an eclectic school of thought, with their work divided evenly between conventional and contemporary styles. However, Neil prefers the special challenges offered by the latter. Their original contemporary designs are somewhat inspired by American Shaker, Traditional Japanese and the Arts and Crafts Movement styles, where small detail and joints are exposed and highlighted, and fine contrasting details and inlays are featured. Tibetan architecture also strongly influences their work. They work mainly in solid Australian hardwoods like Jarrah and Blackwood and occasionally hand-cut special highly figured veneers for visual effect on such things as drawer fronts and panels. Central to their philosophy is a disciplined practice of woodworking skills using traditional techniques, and an unwavering commitment to maintaining a pleasing balance between form and function.

ENVIRONMENT

Neil and Pam feel strongly about conserving the environment, including our precious Australian wood resource. To this end they have always believed in making furniture so well, that it should last many generations; and designed so timelessly that it never clashes with the ever-changing fashion of the day. The Erasmus’ also strive to use the most natural and environmentally sound products such as oils, waxes and shellac to enhance the natural beauty of the timber.