Wizardry in Wood

Traditionally, wood has enhanced many people’s lives in the form of furniture.  It was ideal for this purpose and we have all come to live comfortably with it as it grows in beauty, ageing with its rich patina.  Only by chance we met a leading collector of turned wood in the US , and only when we saw their collection did we recognise what exquisite and varied artistic pieces could be created from this medium.  Following this chance meeting, we started to build an international collection of turned wood.  Our reward has come from meeting the artists and understanding the message they convey through transforming a log into a meaningful piece of art.

This selection of turned wood pieces on display at the Pewterers’ Hall represents American, European and Irish turners.  They are drawn from a much larger collection which is available to viewing and buying.

David Ellsworth’s work excels in simplicity of shape, form and texture.   He is one of the innovators and founders of the hollow form.  His pieces, in some cases, are less than 2mm thick.  Ron Kent’s translucent pieces, as well as Christian Burchard’s baskets, use local woods while Virginia Dotson’s laminated works and John Jordan’s carved pieces get inspiration from the landscape of Arizona and the ocean respectively.   Philip Moulthrop’s bundled Mosaics demonstrate the beauty and texture inherent in the wood in the simplest, smoothest curved surface.  Gianfranco Angelino exploits the shape of odd branches, knots and stalks of small shrubs to achieve the desired effect, and Michael Mode’s inspiration comes from his fascination with Art and Architecture from India and the Middle East.  Liam Flynn fumes and ebonises the wood while Liam O’Neill uses bog oak pieces – both use techniques centuries old, reflecting the deep-rooted tradition in turning while achieving the highest standard and quality.

We hope you enjoy the collection.

Brian and Hana Smouha, June 2004.