Living in the city, surrounded by concrete and glass, can easily make you feel as if you are living in complete isolation from the natural world. This feeling is the reason that we fill our homes with plants, pets and natural decorations.
One sculptor has found a novel way to bring nature into your home, by creating ingenious tables that create an illusion of animals emerging from water. The beautiful pieces are designed by artist Derek Pearce, who has been making the furniture since 1997. Having grown his operation largely through referrals, he now distributes across North America, Europe, and Japan.
The artistry and ideas behind Pearce’s work are truly unique. Each table is made to order, with a guarantee that it will add charm and elegance to your home. Alongside his most famous hippopotamus table, he also features, otters, seals, frogs and dolphins in his work.
Elinor Malcolm, a writer for Westside magazine, sees Pearce as a guiding light for those who want their home to be a truly unique place. ‘In a world of anonymous, mass-produced commodities, the vision, wit, and craftsmanship of Derek Pearce’s singular works provides welcome relief,’ she said. ‘Derek is a man of unique creative vision.’
Pearce’s vision has been molded over a widely varied career that has seen him work as a theater actor, stage carpenter, musical director, lecturer, and teacher. He has collaborated with the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, even teaching her how to dance the polka.
Pearce has recently begun to extend his work beyond the ‘water tables’ by sculpting natural mirrors, eco-cabins and, most impressively of all, a giraffe shaped bookcase. The range of new products that he now makes all come from the deeply personal relationship he has with his work. ‘I usually work in a very sculptural way, often without any drawing,’ Pearce says. ‘This allows me to be more sensitive to the materials that I am working with.’
His ‘unique creative vision’ unfortunately doesn’t come cheap. The average cost of one of his mesmerizing tables is $5,000, although they do make for a solid investment. Most importantly, however, by inviting the spirit of the natural world into our homes, Pearce’s work highlights our continued love of the majesty and mystery of nature.