Sandra Githinji Studio

“TURN” for 100 Chairs, presented by .associates

Huge thanks to Alex Lesniowski, an incredibly talented maker whose contribution was essential in bringing this piece to life. From guiding me through my very first making experience to creating custom jigs and refining the more complex details, his generosity, patience, and craftsmanship made this work possible.

Massive thanks to for this beautiful short. 🥹

What is TURN all about?

TURN is a chair made entirely from 30 reclaimed timber stair spindles sourced from a red-brick suburban house in Montrose, Victoria. The timber, meranti, a Southeast Asian hardwood, was widely imported into Australia for its affordability and ease of turning, and commonly stained to imitate more expensive Victorian hardwoods.

The work engages turn both as technique and gesture: the original spindles were machine-turned, and here they are cut, reworked, and physically turned outward, exposing the natural grain and tone that were previously concealed. Through sanding and reorientation, the work reclaims the timber’s interior, returning visibility to what had been hidden. The form draws on traditional low-seated stools from my Kikuyu culture, where seating is close to the ground. In contrast, the elongated back rises into a totem-like structure, positioning the chair as both object and figure. TURN reflects on how materials and cultural forms migrate, adapt, and are reshaped within domestic space, and how value can be reclaimed through acts of revealing and turning inward.

Production Team:
Kevin O’Connor, workshop co-ordinator
Alex Lesniowski, workshop technician

This event is part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.
# melbournedesignweek rmit