Dave Lawley Recalls His Father's Role in the Argyle Library Egg
Dave Lawley reflects on his father Geoff Lawley’s involvement with the Argyle Library Egg and addresses misconceptions surrounding its creation.
He notes the sadness of the Argyle Library Egg saga and the untimely death of Paul Kutchinsky. However, he emphasizes that repeatedly crediting Kutchinsky alone for the egg's creation is misleading, comparing it to attributing the invention of the Tesla car solely to Elon Musk.
In reality, six master craftsmen dedicated 7,000 hours to crafting the egg. Geoff Lawley, Dave’s father, was responsible for making all the intricate furniture installed on the three 120-degree interior vistas of the egg.
Following the egg's failure to sell, Geoff Lawley and the other craftsmen were made redundant by the workshop. Geoff never returned to work afterward. Despite this, Dave reports that his father is alive and well, having recently celebrated his 95th birthday, although his memories of his contribution to this masterpiece are now fading.
"It was sad to read the saga of the Argyle Library Egg and of the untimely death of Paul Kutchinsky. But repeated references to the egg that he made is akin to crediting Elon Musk with devising the Tesla car. There were six master craftsmen who worked 7,000 hours to create the egg. My father, Geoff Lawley, made all the intricate furniture mounted on the three 120-degree vistas inside the egg.
When the egg could not be sold, my father and the other craftsmen were made redundant by the workshop. He never worked again, but I’m pleased to report he is alive and well and celebrated his 95th birthday this week, although his memories of his part in the creation of this masterpiece are now fading.
Dave Lawley
Buckland, Hertfordshire
