Kakadu Design

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Kakadu Design
Kakadu Design
Owners:
Aharon and Reut Sharar
Founded:
1990
Location:
Moshav Tzafririm, Elah Valley
Description:
International company of handmade and hand-painted wooden designs for the home

Kakadu Design is an international Israeli design company based on Moshav Tzafririm. It produces a variety of practical hand painted wooden designs for the home, everything from decorated furniture and wooden carpets to vases and placemats.

Contents

The Company

Kakadu is Hebrew for cockatoo, and was started in 1990 by Aharon and Reut Shahar with unique designs featuring pictures of birds and other images from nature. These designs proved popular and by 1994,from small beginnings,the Shahar’s had opened their first store in Jerusalem, followed later by a second one in Tel Aviv. Aharon and Reut have a commitment to a ‘green’ approach to life and so only use wood from sustainable sources. The Shahar’s believe in a society based on coexistence that respects everyone, just like they respect the environment. Accordingly, Kakadu workers cover the whole spectrum of Israeli society. During the second intifada some of the Palestinian workers were unable to travel to the workshop, so the Shahar’s set up mini-workshops in their villages. Now Kakadu is an international company, based adjacent to a nature reserve on Moshav Tzafririm, midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the historic and beautiful Elah Valley.

The Artists

Aharon Shahar

Aharon is a master carpenter and designer who started by making furniture. He developed the various processes used to make Kakadu products durable, creates new designs and now runs the management side of the business. He also, in keeping with an integrated approach to life teaches Alexander Technique.

Reut Shahar

Reut studied art and jewelry design at Bezalel Academy and was the first woman to study carpentry in Israel. Apart from being the main creative force behind the company she is also an artist, musician and sculptor in her own right. She exhibits her work in Israel and abroad.

The Process

Handcrafted, and hand-painted, Kakadu’s products go through a 12-step process of manufacture. Once an item has been designed it is made in the workshop on site. The material used is combination of solid wood and plywood which is cut so that there is as little waste as possible. After the product has been made, it is lovingly hand-painted and then lacquered several times to ensure that they are both water-resistant and durable. It is then ready for display and distribution.

‘Art for the Heart’ Workshops

The Shahar’s run workshops at the Kakadu Gallery, and elsewhere in Israel and the world, so that people can participate in the creative process. Reut believes that everyone can be creative and she runs workshops to help people bring out their creativity. Some of the workshops at Kakadu are short, aimed at tour groups, while others are long-term regular classes that enable people to eventually open up their own studios and businesses. Other classes and workshops offered at Kakadu include Jewish heritage, nature and music.

‘Picabu' at Disney World

Recently Reut was commissioned by the Swan & Dolphin Resort at Disney World in Florida, to redesign one of their restaurants. This required a lot of coordination on Reut’s part as all the work was carried out in the Kakadu workshop in Israel. The restaurant features the ‘Picabu’ motif, which appears peering around corners, guiding customers around the space. Picabu is full of light and fun, and appeals to both children and to the ‘child within’ adults alike. Apart from the wooden ‘Picabu’ motifs all around the restaurant , there are three display ‘worlds’ with wooden fish, birds and bugs in typical Kakadu style - just to amuse.

Aharon and Reut Sharar’s environmentally friendly furniture and household products are available from their Kakadu gallery and stores in Israel, various stores worldwide, and online.

 
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