Macrotomy a process in science of taking slices through an object find out more about it.
This is Ash from a tree that originally had Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (Ash Die-Back) which opened the doors to other micro-organisms including fungi and bacteria who fed on the tree colouring it until we steam-bent the wood stopping the process. The long tapered shape of the wood comes from the tapered shape of the tree, the wider base being the bottom of the tree. By steam-bending the wood we learn a lot about the tree - as we bend it by hand we ask 'what can you do?'
The final work shows in many ways how strong the wood felt in different parts. If you look inside this sculpture you will see some little knots - we did not want to bend these so kept that part straight resulting in the swooping form of this work.
Time to grow: c. 85 years
Time in workshop: 5 months
Material: Steam-Bent Ash
Size: 1425cm x 80cm x 45cm