‘Hearts’
for lack of a better word
These sculptures are not hearts, not really, but they are living - or are at least an attempt at life.
I have tried using other terms to describe these objects, to avoid making the resemblance explicit, as it is clear that they are not in any way anatomically accurate. There has never been any intent on my part to recreate anything, be it the human heart, sea sponges, or any other organisms - but the influence and resemblance is undeniable, however unintentional.
How the ‘Hearts’ were started
The Problem
I was already running behind in making these bottle vases in time for the Christmas markets I had booked when the lathe belt snapped!
The replacement would not arrive in time, so I would not be able to do any more turning before these events.
The Solution
By hand carving the vases instead, I was no longer limited by the lathe in the direction and number of ‘spouts’ and so began a collection of multi-spouted vases.
It took me a long time to understand reductive sculpture; but as much as additive sculpture in clay made sense to me, as a material I have always been drawn to wood.
I am always lead by the material and rarely enter into the process with any planned outcome, as often the wood has its’ own.
We should not tell the wood what to do, nor how to behave - we should ask.
These sculptures are not hearts - not really.
They are living, or at least an attempt at life. There has never been any intent on my part to recreate anything, be it the human heart, sea sponges, or any other organisms - but the influence and resemblance is undeniable, however unintentional.
I am always lead by the wood and rarely enter into the process with any planned outcome, as often the wood has its’ own.
This piece is made of Oak from an old barn and is finished with tung oil.
Height -
Approx. Diameter -
This piece is made from locally sourced and naturally fallen Apple and features multiple ‘bowties’ which serve to stop the wood from splitting further whilst retaining the splits as hallmarks to be highlighted - not hidden.
Made from Jarrah wood, usually native to Australia, which was previously used as a way-marker in Samphire Hoe, Kent. I had a very limited supply of this, which was kindly gifted to me and I tried my best to retain as much of the features of its’ previous life as possible - including the chalk markings.