Chance Tatum

What is your major and how did you choose it?

I am a Furniture Major, I used to be an illustration major but learned I love to build something up in a physical world. Being able to have a space, use, and purpose for my work is important for me.

Do you have a minor? What is it? Why did you choose to pursue this minor?

I am currently looking into the teaching artist minor as I would love to help students be able to create things they are proud of and bring new forms of creation into the world.

What kind of sustainably-focused projects have you worked on and/or are currently working on?

Sustainability is something very important to me and it is something I am always learning more about especially in my practice of furniture and sculpture. My “Suspended Nature” installation was a tree hung upside down from the ceiling with rope as a take on nature and the importance we as human have with nature. I used materials that were being taken to be thrown away, the tree being in the MCAD loading dock before I was even a student here.

What inspires you?

Nature for sure! Animals and organic forms are what drive me. If you see my furniture it is not organic and very simplified but turning animals and organic things into simplistic shapes and geometry and being able to place that in a home or gallery space.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

My favorite piece so far is tied between two: first, My Doe chair, created with poplar and white ash with three parts, two identical legs with a body in the center. The body is burned and finished as the legs sit untouched with just a clear finish with bright red dots simulating the spots of the doe; second, a table currently in process using insolation foam, resin, spray paint, with a burned table base. The table top can flip upside down with both sides of the table top having a very organic and otherworldly look and feeling to them.

How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life? What advice do you have others to do the same?

I try my best to be sustainable as much as I can. When possible I use scraps and things I find, but I have been looking a lot more into new materials that are less destructive for the environment and I have plans to try and incorporate this more into my work. My advice would be to not be scared to scavenge into trashcans in 3d shops or studios!

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