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P R O F I L E | B R E N T C O M B E R
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rent Comber's creative jour-
ney started about 30 years ago
when he decided to design and
build gardens. "The designs
were generally Pacific Rim-influenced,"
he remembers. "By that I mean Japanese
philosophies centered on balance and
harmony plus incorporating plants and
grasses of Northern California that are
more drought tolerant."
But it didn't stop there. "At the time there
were no furnishings available that I felt
were sensitive to these designs, so I
began carving benches from timber
recovered from old buildings being
dismantled in Vancouver, Canada."
Loving this experience, Comber then
shifted from garden making to art and
design. Currently based in North Vancou-
ver, British Columbia, he is currently at the
helm of his studio Brent Comber Originals,
which is nestled in an oceanside industrial
area, where he creates and innovates
in a building that was originally a wood
structure once employed by boat builders.
"I've always liked being near the water,
smelling the ocean and hearing seagulls,"
he confesses.
Inspired by the unparalleled surrounding
panorama, he transforms day after day
— with the help of his team — ideas into
three-dimensional artworks, installations
and furniture.
Respectful of the materials he uses,
Comber bases his work on thoughtful
practices and places the environment at
the heart of everything.
"For example, our sawdust and other wood
waste is collected and used by other
52 DIGS.NET
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