"I've decided to stick with love - hate is too great a burden to bear," said Martin Luther King in 1966.
American art collector and Queenstown homeowners David and Peggy Teplitzky and Ohope Beach artist Julie Paama Pengelly came up with the idea of an international art show based on that quote, and invited 108 artists from around the globe to participate.
It's called "Roundabout" and opens at City Gallery, Wellington, in September before heading off on its world tour.
Ed Cruickshank, of Arrowtown, is the only furniture designer asked to participate.
It's a huge honour as these are all well-established artists, some of whom are exhibiting at the Venice Biennale and winning the big art prizes around the world.
New Zealand artists taking part include Michael Parakowhai, Fiona Pardington, Shane Cotton and John Pule.
Mr Cruickshank met Mr Teplitzky when estate agent Julian Brown asked him to design a ski rack for a house the American wanted to buy on Queenstown Hill.
He obviously liked Mr Cruickshank's work, as within five minutes he had commissioned not just the ski rack but a house-lot of furniture.
"He and his wife Peggy are the dream clients - I gave them a quote the next morning and they paid in full right then and there.
"Since then, I've done even more work for them, and now they have asked me to be involved in the show."
Out in the back of his Arrowtown shop are photos and working drawings of the table he is creating.
The steel base is being made in Wanaka's Metalworks workshop, as is the inner circle which stays still while the outer wheel made of 108 wooden segments can turn.
Martin Luther King's quote is written in inverted Braille with the word "Love" remaining still.
He is hoping to find the perfect piece of 30,000-year-old kauri for the 108 wooden segments.
In many Eastern philosophies, 108 is an important number and, while the exhibition is not based on any particular religious belief, Mr Teplitsky wants this travelling show to build bridges of understanding and tolerance between the many countries represented.
Mr Cruickshank is excited about being part of this project.
Many of the works of art on show are already in the Teplitzkys' collection, and others are works commissioned especially for it.
Roger Shepherd, of Flying Nun Records, has been asked to compose a 24-hour piece of music which will play throughout the show.
