The Singaporean carpenter who built two chairs specially for Pope Francis: '100% handmade'

One day, you’re dabbling in small furniture projects for family and friends from your workshop in Sembawang. The next, you’re approached to build two custom-made chairs for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Singapore. 

Such was Govindharaj Muthiah’s reality when he received the fortuitous call from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore around end-July. The 44-year-old Singaporean carpenter, who took his passion for woodworking full-time in 2019, did not expect to be presented the coolest addition to his CV to date. 

And for the record, even though he completed both "100 per cent handmade" chairs within a whirlwind month, the news still hadn’t sunk in when he spoke to CNA Lifestyle on Thursday (Sep 5) about his initial shock.

“When I got the call, the first question was: ‘Hi, we knew you do furniture. We were introduced by someone.’ And they asked if I could make a chair. I was like, ‘Okay, do you have the dimensions? I’ll work on it,’” recalled Raj, as he prefers to be known.

“Then (the caller) said, ‘No it’s more than that, there’s a lot of specific details.’ And I said, ‘Okay, send me the drawing.’ Usually what I tell customers is, if you can draw it and show me, I will build it for you. So likewise, I said that, thinking he’s on the same page.

"He paused for a while and said, ‘It’s for the Pope.’ I was like, ‘Sorry? Who?’ He (repeated himself): ‘For the Pope.’”

Pope Francis will be in Singapore from Sep 11 to 13 – the last leg in his Asia-Pacific tour, which is his longest trip away from the Vatican since he became head of the worldwide Catholic Church in 2013.

The 87-year-old's itinerary includes meeting President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, presiding over mass at the National Stadium, and holding an interreligious dialogue session with youth at Catholic Junior College. 

BUILDING FROM SCRATCH

The chairs will be used during the interreligious dialogue. So it is perhaps fitting that Raj, a practising Hindu, approached temples and mosques that had just undergone renovation for leftover lumber he could repurpose. 

"This is way beyond religion," said Raj, who has followed Pope Francis’ teachings from the time he was ordained.

“One thing that captivated me was his very down-to-earth demeanour, which you don’t see easily in someone of such magnitude. And I read about his lifestyle, how even in his own personal room, how his bed (and) study table are. He has such a simple character. I wanted to maintain that a lot in (these chairs) as well.”

When he eventually put pencil to paper, he wanted the final design to be “very vintage”, inspired by furniture from the 18th century. A "normal chair" was a no-go.

The headboard of one chair was inspired by the distinctive frontage of the old Novena Church, also known as Church of St Alphonsus. It had three arches and a circular stained glass window.

Raj used to accompany his Catholic friend to the church frequently when they were in St Michael’s School – since renamed to St Joseph’s Institution Junior – which was located next to the church.

“My friend would always quietly bring me and make me sit in the church when he did his prayer… And I started liking the energy within the church. (So) the first thing that came to me (during the brainstorming process) was the front (of the church), and I thought it would be apt. I put it in, it fit the specs, and that’s how the design was born,” he said. 

“And surprisingly, now you see the emblem for the (Papal Visit) event is also placed there, it looks like the old Novena Church with the (stained glass) window at the centre.” 

Meanwhile, the base of the other chair was inspired by the facade of Basilica of San José de Flores, a catholic church located in Pope Francis’ birthplace of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

This chair also has a B-shaped armrest – an homage to Pope Francis’ family name, Bergoglio. 

The Pope's recent history of health issues, along with his current use of a wheelchair, meant ergonomics were also crucial in the design process. "But I think what’s going to be more uplifting for him is seeing everybody coming together. That will be the more essential portion,” Raj added.

“Honestly, nobody that age will do such a thing of such a big magnitude. We should really give it up to him… Hopefully he’s able to achieve whatever he can in the shortest time so that he fulfils his vision.”

And while Pope Francis has a tight schedule, Raj is keeping his fingers crossed that he gets to meet the man himself. Should he get the chance, he plans to present the Pope with a miniature model of the chair.

"My sort of carpentry is very much a dying trade. I hope the younger generation doesn't forget this. Try to come and learn how repurposed wood is (used)… I never waste anything in my workshop. I keep a lot of cut-off wood for my kids, because they come here every Saturday to build whatever they want, and I hope people can also come forward and do that as well," he added.

Carpentry is a profession where you reap what you sow, where a simple thought can directly influence the outcome, Raj believes.

"I hope everybody can see this love offering, you know. Let it be a love offering and not go unnoticed, because a lot of heart was put into this project."