| Robin Wood artists statement |
|
| view Robin's sculptures | |
| Robin Wood has been carving wood for
15 years first as a hobby whilst working as a National Trust forester and full
time since 1995. His inspiration comes from the raw material available from well managed local woodlands. He is always looking for the best use for the timber available; straight grained timber is used for turned functional bowls, oak for outdoor furniture and large sycamore with interesting grain for sculptures. Robin is inspired by the work of a group of sculptors working in the 1930-60s who pioneered direct carving and truth to materials. Brancusi, Gill, Moore and Hepworth. The pierced forms he has been making since 2000 are a particular response to a visit to Barbara Hepworth's gallery at St Ives. The early forms were made in the same way as Hepworths but Robin has since turned the axis of the wood through 90 degrees piercing through the centre of the end grain of the piece, this releases the stress in the wood and solves the problems of splitting which were a continual source of stress for Hepworth. In recent work he has started to texture and burn the inner surface of the forms creating a contrast to the smoothly polished exterior. |