WORK OF THE WEEK: Alison Crowther, Incised Walnut III, 2018

Alison Crowther
Incised Walnut III, 2018
Unseasoned English Walnut
20 x 20 x 15 cm
7 ⅞ x 7 ⅞ x 5 ⅞ in.

Alison Crowther’s practice is primarily concerned with embracing the natural characteristics of her material. When you engage with her pieces, there is an overwhelming sense that she has kept the characteristics of the wood present, as though the tree has simply shifted form under her skilful hands.

Although she primarily works with English Oak, Crowther will 'use walnut from time to time; it's rare to get such large pieces to work with, I don't go out and buy it.' Crowther is dedicated to the sustainable practice of carving, ensuring the replanting and regrowth of English woodlands. As such, she donated to the Glyndebourne Estate's Tree Planting Programme, with whom she works towards the common goal of preserving and celebrating our woodlands. In return, they gifted her this beautiful walnut, from which she meticulously carved this stunning, geometric piece.

Her carving accentuates the roots, ripples, gnarls and knobs of the tree, and offer an insight as to how sculptor and medium work symbiotically to create beautiful art.

'I never get bored of wondering at the history, the weather conditions that formed the wood, or considering the lie of the land where the tree grew as I work with the landscape of timber, peer at the miniscule knots and negotiate the swerve of the grain.’ - Alison Crowther

Born in Keighly, West Yorkshire, Alison Crowther studied 3-Dimensional Design at Buckingham College and then went on to her MA in Furniture Design at the Royal College of Art, London. Her first major commission was for Steep Common in Petersfield, with Seat encircling a tree (1995). Crowther has gone on to do many commissions, including 5 Pews for the Silkstede Chapel in Winchester Cathedral (1996), Lover’s Seat at Chatsworth Park in Derbyshire (1999), The Kissing Benches (2018) in The Figaro garden and The Jupiter Bench (2021) by the lake at Glyndebourne Opera in East Sussex, and Place2Be Seats designed for the Securing Tomorrow Garden by Jamie Butterworth for the Chelsea Flower Show (2022). In 2017, Crowther was selected to join the Royal British Society of Sculptors, and also works in the Arts Council England, Southeast.

Selected Solo and group exhibitions include The Unexpected Too, Sotheby’s, New York City (2002); Inside/Out, Contemporary Applied Arts, London (2003); Alison Crowther: The Ripple Effect, Canary Wharf, London (2008); Collect, The Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea, London (2009); Fresh Air, Quentington Sculpture Exhibition, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (2015); and Hearts of Oak, Bedales Arts Autumn Exhibition, Petersfield, Hampshire (2015).

Crowther’s work is included in several public collections, including Three Pacific Place, Hong Kong; One Shenzhen Bay; The Rothschild Collection and Canary Wharf Group Art Collection.

Carved benches by Alison Crowther

Alison Crowther

Passage II, 2016

Artist initials and date carved into bench

English Oak

120 x 30 x 42 cm

3ft 11 x 1ft x 1ft 4 ½ in.

Alison Crowther

Passage I, 2016

Artist initials and date carved into bench

English Oak

120 x 30 x 42 cm

3ft 11 x 1ft x 1ft 4 ½ in.

Alison Crowther's new book, Carved: Conversations With Wood is now for sale at Roche Court and on our website.