Art from the Tree Exhibition at Nature in Art
The Association of Woodturners of Great Britain are staging a summer exhibition of turned wood with nature very much in mind. It offers a wonderful opportunity to see a host of techniques exploited to bring out the beauty in wood. The exhibition will include a large number of pieces, of varying scales and will be displayed in three sections.
The Ray Key Collaboration:
This came about after many part turned pieces were found in the workshop of Ray Key BEM after he died in September 2018. Ray was the founder and president of the AWGB. The part turned pieces were sent out to turners from five continents for them to finish in their own style. 118 pieces were returned revealing a vast array of different techniques and styles representing a unique collection of work. These will all be exhibited at Nature in Art and at a later date auctioned, partly in aid of the AWGB.
Ray was a very influential turner who revelled in the beauty of wood. He said, 'My work embraces minimalism; my quest is to produce objects of beauty and elegant simplicity. I am a great believer of the object as a whole; not a disjointed assemblage of different ones. 'Keep it simple stupid', 'Let the wood speak for itself' and 'If in doubt leave it out' were his design bywords. One of his great delights was his sense that in his time this ancient craft is now accepted as an 'art form'.
The Masters:
Showcasinging the work of Ray Key, Reg Hawthorne and Stuart Mortimer. All three were awarded the title of 'Master Turner' by the Worshipful Company of Turners (The Turner's Company is one of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London. Its origins go back to early medieval times: the first reference to a London turner dates back to 1189). Many of these Master pieces will be available for purchase during the exhibition.
AWGB Members:
A selection of the best pieces chosen from their international seminar which took place last October along with some additional pieces from local turners. Many of these pieces will also be available for purchase.
For the first week of the exhibition (2nd - 7th July) the turners will be demonstrating in the studio.
The AWGB is a national charity which aims to promote woodturning to ensure the craft continues and to advance education in woodturning. It currently has over 3000 members, including makers abroad, and has 50 local UK branches, including Gloucestershire. Phil Irons, who has a spectacular large vessel in the Nature in Art collection, was elected President of AWGB earlier this year.
Art from the Tree Exhibition Information
- Art from the Tree
- 2nd - 21st July
- Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, A38 Twigworth,
Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 9PA.
- Opening hours: Tues-Sun & Bank hols, 10am-5pm
- Admission charges: Adults £5.25, Concessions £4.75,
Family £15.00, Under 8s FREE
Explore Gloucestershire
29 June 2019
For further information.
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