Any exhibition in a Guild Hall is always worth a go as I love seeing the interiors as well as the work.
Wizardry in Wood, held recently at The Carpenters’ Hall was no exception. Both the historical and contemporary aspects of wood carving and turning were covered. Here are some of my curated highlights: a sycamore sea urchin carved by Roy Weare,
a 19th century turned wood game
and a teak cannibal fork from Fiji.
The hall itself is, as expected, wood panelled and decorated with the tools of the trade.
Rows of historical medallions in marquetry line the entrance before reaching the staircase where a demonstration of wood turning was taking place
then up the stairs to see a large stained glass window with the guild’s heraldic crest and motto “Honour God”
Still in the stairwell, a frieze of dividers, the essential measuring tool and symbol of the woodmaker’s craft as used in the crest.
Detail of a Grinling Gibbons panel. His work still amazes me every time I see it.
Returning to the contemporary, the Daniel Collection gathers the best of current work in wood. This intricately carved platter is by Hans Weissflog.
Exhibitors ranged from Eleanor Lakelin, whose work I had seen before,
to the fine traditional skills of Paul Coker
