‘TREES FROM THE GARDEN’ - PRESS KIT

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STUDIO PROFILE:

MJ Fraser, established by Matthew Fraser, is a London based design practice dedicated to the creation of distinctive, narrative-driven furniture and objects. 

With over ten years of experience as a Set Designer for the Film, TV, and Fashion industries, Matthew has honed his ability to enhance stories by crafting immersive environments. Drawing on this expertise, he directs his approach towards furniture design, bringing a unique perspective that blends narrative-building with tactility and functionality. Each piece is deeply influenced by Matthew’s extensive collaboration with scenic artists & sculptors, from which he’s developed an acute understanding of how materials can be manipulated and exploited.

At the heart of studio are two driving forces: Intensive research into novel or overlooked processes and materials, and an ongoing exploration of nature-driven storytelling. The objective is to create pieces that are familiar in their function but unexpected in their composition, with resonant stories at their core. 

‘TREES FROM THE GARDEN’:

MJ Fraser is proud to launch a new collection of lamps, celebrating trees from his childhood garden.

The series of works, entitled ‘Trees From The Garden’, is fabricated almost entirely using a Worbla - a biodegradable thermoplastic, derived from natural, renewable materials. Each lamp is unique, made-up of individual moulds taken from sections of trees. 

Subverting the way we look at trees as a source of construction material, this novel process borrows from the external characteristics of different tree species, rather than extracting for the interior characteristics of finished timber. 

In borrowing from these external characteristics, the conventional design process has to be reimagined. Whilst the traditional approach to design has few initial confines when imagining silhouettes, here the silhouettes have been conceived with a clear set of parameters - defined by the features of each tree. From this catalogue of features, a ‘cut & paste’ method is applied, where each lamp is constructed using moulded tree segments.

The rudimentary aspect to this approach is liberating. Fraser describes the process as akin to a child stacking building blocks - a spontaneous exploration within defined parameters. The resulting pieces are as distinctive as they are meaningful, co-created by both the artist & nature. 

The process begins with surveying the trees to identify compelling features. Silhouettes are loosely sketched with these features in mind. Moulds are then taken from the trees and reassembled using the sketch only as a starting point for the composition. Often the sketch becomes redundant as new silhouettes are discovered in the assembly process.

Sustainability and efficiency are foundational to this project. Beyond the credentials of the thermoplastic itself, which contains roughly 30% waste sawdust, the fabrication process generates almost zero waste as all offcuts are reheated and repurposed into welding rods and internal structural lining. The plastic’s adhesive properties (activated by heat) eliminate the need for additional glues or solvents, and the lamps are finished solely with a natural mineral paint. The mould-taking process is non invasive to the tree and in some cases even involves cleansing the tree of any destructive ivy. These ivy cuttings can then be retained to form lamp stems. 

Deeply personal in nature, this project reflects Fraser's lifelong connection to the garden and trees that surround his childhood home. This environment, ever-present in his early years, has been an enduring source of inspiration, embodying the curiosity and creativity of youth. By preserving and reinterpreting the unique features of the trees, Fraser not only celebrates their beauty but also channels the lasting influence they have had on his artistic journey.

On ‘Trees From The Garden’ Fraser remarks - “These trees are a part of who I am as a designer. This garden is where I first connected with nature and developed an understanding of ecology. It holds a personal nostalgia unlike anywhere else on earth. Each tree has a different personality - some strong and good for climbing, some intricate and good for hiding, and some totally transform as the seasons pass. Re-immersing myself in the garden after 20 years away has been creatively profound.”