purchase

The Coronation Muscinae Capsule

Uncategorized, , ,

This piece was recently made for the latest Worshipful Company of Turners’ biennial turning exhibition which took place on the 18th – 19th October 2023 at Pewterers’ Hall, London.

New for this year was a Master’s Exhibition, selected by invitation only. This exhibition aspired to showcase the finest woodturning in the UK, and had leading artists providing for the first time, an exciting and diverse display of turned artwork, using sustainable or reclaimed British timber.

The theme for this year was Coronation, which we were able to interpret in any manner we wished, whilst being respectful of the Worshipful Company of Turners’ core values and long-established Royal Charter.

The Coronation Muscinae Capsule

My piece was inspired by King Charles’ Coronation and his life long interests in environmental issues and the natural world, which I am also incredibly passionate about. The box was very challenging, particularly as it was the first time I had soldered silver on this scale, but I was really happy with the finished piece despite the struggle!

The form originates from Muscinae – the original scientific name for mosses – the oldest land plants on earth at 450 million years. It echoes the mosses seed capsule, and the piece contains seeds from the Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, Northern Ireland’s shamrock and English rose, unifying the flora of the four nations of the Untied Kingdom.

The colouring of the body of the piece represents King Charles’ use of his grandfather King George VI Coronation robes with ermine trim in his bid to be more sustainable. It is painted with milk paint, an eco-friendly finish that has been used for thousands of years.

The capsule’s lid symbolises the St. Edward’s crown with it’s precious metals and purple velvet. The original crown was thought to be silver and date back to the eleventh century saint Edward the Confessor (as seen on the Bayeux Tapestry), before it was melted in during the English Civil War in 1649 and remade in gold by the Royal Goldsmith, Robert Vyner in 1661.

Eco-friendly materials were used throughout, including the peristome made from recycled silver and a gold ball created from my grandmother’s wedding ring, and responsibly sourced English sycamore. The silver was hallmarked at the Goldsmith’s Company Assay Office with the extra Coronation Commemorative mark. The sycamore cap was coloured with sustainably produced Lucea organic plant based watercolour paint, ground from logwood giving it a beautiful subtle purple shade, embellished with water-based resin dots.

English sycamore, recycled sterling silver, recycled 18ct gold, stainless steel, rubber, recycled paper, seeds (daffodil, thistle, dog rose, clover) and milk paint, organic plant based logwood watercolour and resin.

19cm length x 6.5cm wide £1950 + shipping

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing – thank you!

Clay Barn 40th Anniversary

Uncategorized, , ,

I will be back exhibiting at Louise Darby’s Clay Barn again this year from the 9th – 11th June 2023!

It will be her 40th Anniversary of opening her studio to the public, with other invited artists, and sadly the last year that it will happen. It’s always a lovely show to do down near Startford-upon-Avon, and hopefully this amazing weather will continue this weekend as Louise hopes to have musicians playing in her beautiful garden.

I have been making new mills for the show and amongst other work will also be exhibiting my moth lamps, made in collaboration with Chlöe Augusta Needham.

We welcome all visitors to join us for tea, nibbles and a wonderful range of art and craft!

Parking is at the Stag Pub – B49 6NQ.

Form/Content POP Exhibition

Uncategorized, , ,

My Radiolarian Vessel IX is about to be auctioned at this years Amercian Association of Woodturners symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, USA on Saturday 3rd June 2023 at 13.30 (their time).

There is still time to bid online at https://auction.woodturner.org/AAW-Contemporary-Wood-Art-Auctions-2023_as89144

When I thought about the exhibiton theme Form/Content I decided to go back to a radiolarian as the starting point for this piece. The forms of these incredible microscopic sea creatures are so wonderful, and pieces I have created previously using their inspiration have pinpointed some important moments in my career, from the photographing of Radiolarian Vessel I by Tony Boase for his book, to the recent acquisition of Radiolarian Vessel VII by the Renwick Gallery.

The blue interior, or Content, represents the sea – so fundamental and precious to our life on Earth and the lives of these beautiful organisms.

The piece is turned and carved from rippled English walnut. It has a pierced sterling silver insert and has been painted with acrylic paint in the interior. It is 15cm across.

National Eisteddfod Llanrwst 2019

Uncategorized, , , ,

The National Eisteddfod of Wales will soon begin in Llanrwst, North Wales on the 2nd August 2019.
I have been having fun collaborating with paper artist Chloe Augusta Needham on some new Moth lamps and we were thrilled that these were selected to be exhibited at the Y Lle Celf – the Eisteddfod’s visual arts gallery.
It’s a great place to exhibit as it attracts 40,000 visitors during the course of the week!

Below are some work in progress photos of the new lamps – Moth II and Moth III that we have been working on that you will be able to see on show.

You can find out more information at https://eisteddfod.wales/yllecelf

Wizardry in Wood Oct 2016

Uncategorized, , , ,

I will be exhibiting in London from the 12th-15th Oct 2016 at Wizardry in Wood – organised by the Worshipful Company of Turners, and only held every 4 years.  You can find out more and buy tickets at https://wizardryinwood.com/

One of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London, the Turners’ Company was already a guild in the 12th Century. Some 200 years later, Edward III decreed that ‘wooden measures, as well for wine as for ale’ should be made only by ‘turnours’ with marks of their own – and the medieval turners established the English ‘pint’ as an official measure. In 1604 the Company received its Royal Charter from James I.

This year their one of competitions is commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London and I have made a special piece inspired by the start of the fire at the bakery at Pudding Lane which will be exhibited at the show.

fireengraving

 

Beautiful and amazing original works by over 70 of the world’s greatest contemporary woodturners

Where, When, How?

Where: In the spectacular and spacious Carpenters’ Hall in the heart of the City of London.

When: Wed 12 – Sat 15 October: opens 10am each day.  On Wed 12, Thur 13 & Fri 14 October: closes 6pm, last entry 5pm.  On Sat 15 October: closes 4pm, last entry 3pm

Go to http://www.wizardryinwood.com to buy tickets

e187a934-0359-4cdf-bd67-7de4959a6a82

Clay Barn Summer Exhibition

Uncategorized, , , ,

I’m very happy to be showing again at Louise Darby’s beautiful studio again this weekend 5th-8thJune 2015.  I hope the weather improves as she has a lovely garden and it would be better enjoyed in sunshine!  I’ll be showing some of my new Coleoptera boxes as well as my kitchen range of mills etc.  I just hope I manage to finish some of the mills I’ve got in production at the moment as I think I caught a cold from my niece Hannah who was up visiting last weekend with my sister Judith and nephew Joe.  We had a great weekend and even made it up Snowdon for the first time with the help of my partner Mark, but the cold brings on my asthma which doesn’t mix very well with sawdust!  Anyway, I digress…inviteinvite 2

Calosoma Box

New Beetles for Ruthin

Uncategorized, , , ,

In July this year I started designing some new coleoptera inspired boxes for my show coming up at Ruthin Craft Centre – a beautiful gallery in North Wales.  The show is called ‘Is it Wood’ and is curated by Mary La Trobe Bateman OBE (who used to be the director of Contemporary Applied Arts).  Other artists include:

Peter Archer / Fred Baier / Dail Behennah / Roger Bennett / Chatwin : Martin / Eleanor Glover / Nicola Henshaw / Eleanor Lakelin / Lina Peterson / Anthony Roussel / Sophie Smallhorn / Wycliffe Stutchbury / Rupert Williamson

Bringing together 14 unique makers, who through their innovative and original ideas, challenge our traditional perceptions of wood.

I hope this colourful exhibition challenges traditional ideas about working with wood.
I hope it causes some surprises.
I hope it counters the response to so much work that is handmade in wood by inviting the visitor to look beyond the surface and the skill of the making to see the original ideas and innovations of each individual artist.
And I hope that the exhibition is enjoyable!

Mary La Trobe-Bateman, Curator.

You can find out more about the show at Ruthin Craft Centre  It runs until Nov 30th 2014.

HandmadeinBritaineflyerFor the first time in many years I will be exhibiting at a fair with my good friend and collaborative partner Sarah Parker-Eaton!  We will both be at Handmade in Britain this year – stands 27 and 28 from the 8th – 10th November 2013.

Find out more details at Handmade in Britain.

This year will be Handmade in Britain’s seventh at Chelsea Old Town Hall and once again, their annual showcase will begin the Christmas season with exceptional craft and design from over 90 designer-makers.  This year’s show will feature exhibitors in all disciplines including furniture, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and glass – all with a focus on absolute quality and craftsmanship – whose work is available to purchase or commission directly from the maker.

Alongside our established makers, this year we are very excited to launch our New Graduate Showcase, a celebration of new talent in a dedicated gallery at the heart of Handmade in Britain 13.

MADE LONDON October 2013

Uncategorized,

building

Sir John Sloane Church, One Marylebone

Its not long now before I will be exhibiting at MADE LONDON, the Design and Craft Fair, 25th-27th October 2013. Further details are available from the Made London website.

MADE LONDON was held for the first time in October last year to great acclaim from visitors and exhibitors. They aimed to present an enjoyable event showcasing the very best and most original makers in this country and beyond exhibiting the highest quality contemporary craft and design. Visitors to their first show were bowled over by the variety, high quality and originality of the craft and design work on show; loved exploring each four levels of the dramatic and beautiful building and loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the show.

MADE LONDON takes place at One Marylebone, using all 4 floors of this stunning Sir John Soane Church in central London. Directly opposite Great Portland Street tube station and next door to Regents Park. There will be a cafe serving drinks and light meals in the double height crypt.

 

 

Avocado and Walnut Mills

Uncategorized

Photo of avocado and walnut mills

Avocado and walnut mills

I have been making mills for over 12 years. This set is one of my favorite color combinations, with the beautiful avacado color contrasting with the rich warm walnut.

The mills are 5 1/2″ tall. You can also order these mills in the taller 6 1/2″ height.

I turned and carved the bases of these mills out of English sycamore, a renewable timber readily available in the UK with a lovely pale translucent grain and often used in kitchenware. The texture of the carving makes it easy to grip, even with wet hands. The sycamore has been airbrushed with acrylic inks. The tops have been turned and wire brushed to give them a great satin texture. The brass knobs also have a soft brushed finish and a black or white resin dot to make identification easy. Both mills have a durable, food safe, environmentally friendly finish, that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Both mills features a durable ceramic fully adjustable grinding mechanism. The mechanism produces unmatched consistency in grind while requiring only a slight twist to produce a significant amount of fresh, aromatic pepper or salt. The ceramic mechanism also means that any possible salt corrosion is avoided.

These mills would be a beautiful addition to your dining table or kitchen. They also make a wonderful wedding gift.

You can purchase these mills from Lokimonkey on Etsy.