Turning Wood Into Art 2008

About

Gianfranco Angelino
Roger Bennett
Christian Burchard
David Ellsworth
Liam Flynn
John Jordan
Ray Key
Merete Larsen
Bud Latven
Malcolm Martin & Gaynor Dowling
Philip Moulthrop
Marc Ricourt
Mike Shuler

This is the fifth exhibition of Turned Wood and the richness and inventiveness of these exquisite objects continues to astound and enthral the viewer. In conjunction we will be exhibiting wood pieces at COLLECT - The International Craft Fair held at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The fair is organised by the Crafts Council of Great Britain to promote contemporary craft and has been highly successful in raising the profile and also creating a market for this unique discipline. Our continued aim for both events is to present a full spectrum of quality pieces that promotes the vessel form as Fine Art that transcends preconceptions of Craft. It acknowledges that these sophisticated objects are produced by highly skilled creative artists, who not only seduce us with their innate understanding of material, but make us think again about our relationship to the Natural World.

Once again we have selected the leading International artists, but this year alongside the renowned American Wood Turners we will be focusing on Ireland's foremost Wood Turner, Liam Flynn. In 2005, Liam was awarded the first bursary offered by the Crafts Council of Ireland. His unique hollow-form vessels are recognised as world class. He now exhibits internationally in both the USA and Europe and has been represented in prestigious shows, such as Sculptural Objects & Functional Art (SOFA) in Chicago and New York.

We will also display a spectacular collection of new pieces from the French artist, Marc Ricourt. From a Fine Art background, he combines the traditional vessel form with conceptual and sculptural concerns. His successful International shows include Chicago, Los Angeles, Geneva, Paris and Luxembourg.

During the exhibition, John Jordan will be visiting us from Nashville, Tennessee, to discuss his work. He explains, 'I am connected to the material of wood as a potter is connected to the clay ' it's what I do and who I am'. His pieces are turned, finely carved and organic in form, evoking a budding flower or fallen seed pod. He uses spalted wood to create a rich pattern across the softly hewn surface.

We would like to thank Hana and Brian Smouha, passionate collectors of Turned Wood, for their continued support and invite you to join us to this series of shows celebrating the achievements of this talented group of artists working in wood.