The Art of Wood was opened by TOTT Chairperson John Ragless who is a dedicated wood turner. John loves his craft, making him perfectly qualified to help curate and open this exhibition. John spoke enthusiastically to those gathered for the official opening:-
“Wood is one of the oldest materials used in artistic creations having been employed since prehistoric times to create sculptures, paintings and objects of beauty. Wood’s versatility, beauty, and availability have made it a popular choice among artists of all ages. Wood art represents a fusion of creativity and craftsmanship. It entails taking raw wood and shaping it into works of art that radiate beauty, warmth, and grace. Within this broad spectrum, artisans master carving, sculpting, wood turning and painting to craft intricate pieces. To excel in wood art, artists must possess a deep understanding of the characteristics, patterns, and textures of various wood species. This knowledge empowers them to accentuate the inherent beauty of the material and bring their artistic visions to life, with each piece carrying a tale within its grain, echoing the artist’s inspiration or experience.
Whether in the form of a sculpture, a carving or a painting – wood art possesses the uncanny ability to captivate and draw viewers into its world. Wood art encompasses a captivating array of forms, each distinguished by its unique characteristics and crafting methods, including:
•Wood carving, characterised by its intricacy and detail, involves shaping wood to create three-dimensional designs. The results can range from delicate and intricate to bold and dynamic.
•Woodturning, which relies on a lathe machine to craft symmetrical shapes like bowls, vases, and furniture legs. This technique allows for diverse textures and finishes.
•Wood inlay, involves fitting together thin pieces of contrasting wood to form decorative patterns or images. This meticulous craftsmanship yields visually stunning designs.
Artists who paint often find inspiration in the natural world. This means they interact with nature using multiple senses (including sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste), creating works of art that incorporate what they observe. These artworks can be in any medium and can be abstract or realistic. “
This exhibition features the creative work of :
Jill Allanson, Peter Austin, Laurie Barber, Yash Chadra, Annette Dawson, Joe Dennis, Lynda Fanshaw, Leon Holmes, David Hough, Rosene Kotz, Samantha Kotz, Barry Liddicoat, Simone Linder-Paton, Christine Murphy, John Ragless, Greg & Rose Rees, Tim Skilton, Lyn Stephens, Greg & Peta Stuart, Ellen Wilden.
The following images are a sample of the artworks on display