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. 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 the exact qualities of the wood as we found it as it bent. The bark stayed on this board as it dried so we left it on, and the ends of the wood (the ends of the feathers) were shaped to trim away all softer timber lacking lignin, which gave us a gradient of different curves. The overall form resulted a nurturing hug-like form which is very much in the spirit it was created.
Please note - We also have a limestone base for this work which was too heavy to bring to the show. If you purchase and we deliver within the UK this will be an option included if wanted.
Time to grow: c. 85 years
Time in workshop: 5 months
Material: Steam-Bent Ash
Size: 242.5cm x 100cm x 90cm