Central to the exhibit, her 360-degree tiered timber bookcase references the form of a kaleidoscope, the structure serving as a symbol for the ever-changing viewpoint. It’s function as a receptacle for books is informed by her interest in Regency period female authors and the dissemination of engendered knowledge, complemented by a curated library including some of her own childhood volumes and contemporary research.

The bookcase is a contemporary nod to the women’s blue stocking societies of the late 19th century; an informal organisation of privileged women with an interest in self-education and literature.

The piece is also dedicated to historical ways of crafting and material reinvention. Statically the piece resembles an evocative contemporary piece of joinery but touch the shelf and a magical transformation happens which literally takes your breath away.

“Colour is the way I read the environment around me. I’m drawn to read a space through the nuance of colour-and I use that in my work.”—Bethan Laura Wood

Elton Group met with Bethan on her recent visit to Melbourne and spoke with her about her unique experience collaborating with ALPI to create the uniquely coloured and patterned bespoke veneers of Kaleidoscope-o-rama.

Bethan worked closely with ALPI technicians to developed layered wood blocks, in their factory in Modigliana, Italy, referencing dyed veneers from their archival collection and experimenting with colour and graining inspired by colour combinations from her research of the Regency period. The blocks, when sliced into veneer sheets, produce multicoloured bold patterns, transforming with each sheet, in imitation of fancy period woods.

Bethan referenced the skill of the joiner in pattern matching to create an unpredictable and wonderful surface material.

Elton Group shared the stories behind the development of Kaleidoscope-o-rama with Melbourne’s A&D community over a series of small tours coinciding with International Women’s Day 2024.

The intimate experience included a demonstration of the process of the making of ALPI veneers, and tiny paper prototypes created by Wood on display as part of the ‘Making NGV Triennial’, showcasing methods and materials as well as the opportunity to discuss the full meaning of the bookcase and the veneer in situ on the second-floor Regency room, followed by a Q&A session in Tadao Ando’s M Pavilion.

*The Mecca Women In design champions creative women changing the design world through the Women in Design Commission – a major ongoing series that invites internationally renowned female designers and architects to create new and important work for the NGV Collection. More details here

The NGV Triennial is a collection of  120 artists, designers, and collectives at the forefront of global contemporary practice, over four floors at the National Gallery of Victoria International and runs from December 2023 – April 2024.

Photo Credits – 1. Video (Credits TBC) 2. ALPI sample cupboard Photo: Stefan Giftthaler 3. Scale model and hand sketches of Bethan Laura Wood’s MECCA x NGV: Women in Design Commission at ALPI factory. Photo: Stefan Giftthaler 4. Bethan Laura Wood’s custom wood veneers at ALPI, designed for the MECCA x NGV: Women in Design Commission. Photo: Stefan Giftthaler 5. Construction Detail (Uncredited)