Meet the Maker: Gavin Munro - Full Grown Chairs
WHEN
6:00pm - 7:30pm
TAGS
Celebrate the people behind the making.
Join us for a series of relaxed Meet the Maker sessions, bringing together fascinating artists working across sculpture, furniture making, textiles, and print. Organised by Haarlem Studios and Gallery, these informal talks offer a chance to hear directly from artists about their work, ideas, and creative journeys.
Across six sessions, artists supported by Haarlem Mill will share what inspires them, how they work, and what it means to be a maker today. Expect friendly conversations, thoughtful insights, and plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Free to attend, with tea and coffee provided
The talks take place in the atmospheric Gothic Warehouse at Cromford Mill.
Gavin Munro - Full Grown chairs
“Full Grown” is a UK-based company that practices a unique form of sustainable design by growing trees directly into the shape of functional furniture. This process, described by the founders as “Zen 3D printing”, merges ancient horticultural techniques with modern design to create solid, joint-less pieces of furniture.
Co-founders Gavin and Alice Munro guide young tree branches to grow around specially made formers or molds. Where necessary, branches are grafted together to form single, solid pieces without traditional joints or glue. The process is a “slow-burn project” that requires significant patience. A willow chair takes about six to nine years to grow and another year to dry out, while an oak chair can take nine years or more. This method offers a sustainable alternative to conventional furniture manufacturing, which typically involves growing a tree for 50+ years, cutting it down, and assembling it into smaller pieces. The Full Grown process reduces waste and the associated carbon footprint.
