Jim Partridge and Liz Walmsley are internationally considered as two of the best British artists sculpting in wood. They use organic materials, such as oak wood, and give them a solid, dramatic aesthetic and an authentic beauty with woodworking techniques. They are two of the finalists in the Loewe Craft Prize.
Big Round Dish (2015). Made of scorched oak. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
Big Round Dish’s Detail. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
Their works evoke the natural world, not only due to the chosen material, but also to the visual and texture of the furniture pieces. Jim and Liz confess their intention to bring to life “work with a strong but quiet presence in the landscape”.
Rectangular Scooped Dish. Made of oak. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
“Scorched Burr Oak Table” (2006). Made of scorched and polished burr oak. Photo: ©Phillips
Their aesthetic is, indeed, minimalistic, which gives their art pieces a manifest contemporary look. These two incredible master artisans are able to find a rare balance between material, aesthetic, texture and design and that’s why their wooden masterpieces charm us all. Their supreme artistic refinement is unquestionable.
Unique pair of interlocking “Dovetail” benches (2010). Made of scorched and polished burr oak. Photo: ©Phillips
Scorched Sphere and Bleached Sphere (2014). Made of scorched and bleached oak. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
Partridge and Walmsley are working together creating functional woodwork and furniture since 1986. Their partnership focuses on producing public commissions and architectural projects, however, Jim Partridge also produces vessels.
Wide Dish and Heavy Dish (2014). Made of scorched oak. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
“Diving” Stool (2009). Made of scorched and polished burr oak. Photo: ©Phillips
They were also shortlisted twice for the Jerwood Furniture Prize. Their major commissions and public projects include an altar for Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, seats for Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwick University Arts Centre and Hereford Cathedral Close, and furniture for Edinburgh Botanical Gardens as well as projects for The Chiltern Sculpture Trail, Ruthin Craft Centre, Wales, and Grizedale Forest in the Lake District. Sarah Myerscough Gallery often showcases their artpieces.
“Craggy Block Seat” (2014). Made of scorched oak. Photo: ©Sarah Myerscough
Will they be the winners of Loewe Craft Prize? Stay with us to find out soon.
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