Benjamin Reddan is a cabinet & furniture designer and maker who works from his private studio located in the Yarra Valley. He creates both unique bespoke and limited run pieces that are sold across Melbourne and overseas. Benjamin competed studies in Furniture Design at RMIT in 2009 and followed this by completing an intensive cabinet furniture making apprenticeship in 2010-2014. Since then he has been running his own furniture design and fabrication business, Soul of Bespoke. Benjamin prides himself on his attention to detail which has stemmed from his philosophy that well made woodwork is an artform with a soul, and every aspect of a piece, whether it’s a corner block, a hinge or inlay must be treated with respect.
Benjamin exhibits his work regularly. Highlighted work includes a Japanese Tea set winner of ‘Best in show’ 2017, at the Double Take in Wood Exhibition. Also an Engagement Ring Box and Wedding Box set, which won awards in the Australian Maker of the Year awards 2021-22.
Benjamin’ interest in woodcrafting extends beyond the scope of cabinets and furniture. A recent focus has been art pieces on a smaller scale including jewelery boxes and art work, which gives Benjamin greater opportunity to develop complex patterns and experiment with intricate detailing, that can be often unnoticed in larger pieces.
Today Benjamin’s main passion is the design and fabrication of his unique custom veneer inlay which he utilises in his artwork both large and small. His inlay veneer is inspired by Benjamin’s appreciation of the Japanese art form of Yosegi, the process of joining naturally coloured wood to create an original patterned in veneer. Looking forward Benjamin aims to further deveop his skill, and technique in Yosegi by creating increasingly complex patterned veneers and inlays to incorporate in his work. Benjamin draws inspiration from puzzles, 3D optical illusions, spirograms, origami and architecture.
