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Made From Fiona

Inspired by the windswept waves of the Northumberland Strait, the deeply sculpted arms provide an extraordinary visual and tactile experience. The hand-stitched saddle leather upholstery reflects the way strong winds press materials onto rigid structures. Hand carved into the back crest are the GPS coordinates of the tree where it was uprooted. This chair provides a narrative of forging something good from the destruction that Hurricane Fiona wreaked upon the Atlantic provinces.

This project touched me very deeply. In 1982, my parents implemented a forestry plan for our 360 acre farm. Fire roads were built, fire ponds dug. Harvesting and planting took place. Thinning and selective cutting was undertaken over the years. It was the forest I grew up in; a forest that stoked my love of wood. 40 years later, on September 24, 2022, within a 12-hour period, Hurricane Fiona destroyed it utterly.

Many people in the region have experienced similar loss. The
collaboration between Timberland Canada and Jonathan Otter sought to bring relief to those most in need. The proceeds from the sale of this chair went to the relief efforts of United Way Halifax who were commendably still involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. To learn more about this extraordinary project, please visit madefromfiona.ca

We are also pleased to share this beautifully written editorial piece from Sharp magazine’s Book For Men Fall/Winter 2023: For Hurricane Relief, Jonathan Otter Turns Debris Into Design