Nicholas Rowe LSDC

Concerned that many of the materials and processes he explored had negative environmental impact, Nicholas’ final degree work used a combination of locally sourced Cherry wood and raw Gestingthorpe clay. A symbiotic relationship was created between the ceramic and wooden vessels as they shared companion profiles. The unique characteristics of the unrefined Gestingthorpe clay has added textures and voids by incorporating waste wood shavings from its wooden counterpart.

On winning their 2015 Graduate Award, Nicholas joined an established community of practicing professional artists at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, where he continues to develop his woodturning practice. Due to practical considerations he has recently adjourned exploring ceramics and has instead found other sustainable uses for his waste wood shavings.

Carefully studying each piece of wood prior to turning, having sourced the green (wet), seasoned and reclaimed wood locally, Nicholas decides on an initial form but is often pleasantly surprised by hidden voids, cracks, spalting lines or ripples. To make sure these natural features can be admired he often alters the final form.

Pleasures are found in turning both green (wet) and seasoned woods. Creating a seasoned piece can be a quicker process and finer finishes achieved. Nicholas is passionate about turning green (wet) wood as it generates different challenges. Once the desired form is completed he controls the drying process that can take up to 18 months, minimizing cracking or failure. The wood is allowed to naturally deform contributing to the final result, usually an oval form with rim changes and tactile undulating grain.

Nicholas aims to create work of integrity, evocative of locality, celebrating the materials’ aesthetic and tactile qualities, where past and present materials and communities are honestly referenced. By intending his work to be appreciated as art and utilised every day generating a worth that goes beyond material value.

Professional Memberships

Licentiate Member Society Designer Craftsman (LSDC)

Member of the Colchester Art Society (CAS)

Member of Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB)

Member of two local woodturners clubs affiliated to the AWGB

Education

BA (Hons) Art and Design 3D Design & Craft Degree

(Colchester School of Art & Design/University of Essex)

Awards

Colchester Art Society Open Summer Exhibition 2018 - Third Place

Artist Tenant at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Licentiate Member of Society Designer Craftsman

Graduate Scholarship Award from Colchester School of Art & Design/Cuckoo Farm Studios

Commissions

Pieces created from treasured trees or designed with a specified function and/or a particular wood.

Recent undertakings can be seen on my Twitter account.

Exhibitions and Events 2020

Keep an eye here as they appear... (updated 11/11/20) Looking towards Xmas!

I have sadly taken the decision to not participate in any face-to-face exhibitions and events due to COVID-19.

I had many exhibitions and events planned with undoubtedly a few more coming onto the radar. This experience has shown to me how I thrive on meeting and discussing with people as well as encouraging them to handle my work. I look forward to a time when I can display & sell again in person.

If you can find it within yourself I am dependant on sales from physical shops (that are still trading during this time) and ONLINE more details below, any support you can give them and myself would be enormously gratefully received.

In November 2020

Christmas at The Handmade Shop & Gallery

Guest/featured artist throughout November and December* 2020 - checkout their website and social media, they are doing a 'click and collect' (inline with government guidelines), private video tours and posting of pieces can be arranged.

77a, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1SQ

Christmas Kaleidoscope at The Sentinel Gallery

4th November until 20th December* 2020 - checkout their website and social media, they are selling from their windows with individual codes on pieces, operating a 'click and collect' (inline with government guidelines) and posting of pieces can be arranged.

The Sentinel Gallery, Chapel Road, Wivenhoe, CO7 9DX.

Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery

November 2020 through to January 2021 - checkout their website and social media, they are selling from their window and doing a 'click and collect' (inline with government guidelines) and posting pieces can be arranged.

Hall Street, Long Melford, CO10 9JR.

Christmas Online Exhibition by the Colchester Arts Society

Saturday 14th November to Saturday 19th December* 2020

Virtual exhibition with the theme of Christmas - my submission of a Large Yew Christmas Tree has been chosen as for the poster out of around 100 other CAS members, what an honour!!!

3rd Virtual Online Exhibition at NewArtForYou

Wednesday 18th to Sunday 13th December* 2020

Enter the exhibition through the link on the home page.

In December 2020 Hopefully!

*Christmas at The Handmade Shop & Gallery closes late December 2020

*Christmas Kaleidoscope at The Sentinel Gallery closes 20th December 2020

*Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery closes around Christmas eve - dates tba

*Christmas Online Exhibition by the Colchester Arts Society closes 19th December 2020

*3rd Virtual Online Exhibition at NewArtForYou closes 13th December 2020

Places to view and purchase my work

ONLINE - Thinking of arty xmas gifts?

NewArtForYou representing artists worldwide during COVID-19

Range of works from artists and craftspeople worldwide including woodturned art (by yours truly) and painting/printmaking. Consisting of three parts, the project will cover works created upto the first UK lockdown, during and after.

Visit the website

Follow us via our social media channels:

Facebook: 2020NewArtForYou

Instagram: 2020newartforyou

Twitter: 2020newartforyou

Past Events/Exhibitions Undertaken

In 2020

2nd Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual

1st Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual

Summer Exhibition Online by the Colchester Art Society Virtual

Guest Artist in March 2020 at The Handmade Shop and Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

In 2019

Winter Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society, at The Minories Gallery, Colchester

Christmas Kaleidoscope at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe

The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk

Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Polstead Exhibition, Maria Martins Cottage, Polstead, Suffolk

Summer Exhibition, The Naze Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

Summer Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

Art in Wood & in Paint, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex Duo

In 2018

Winter Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

Winter Wonders Christmas Collection at The Jessica Muir Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk

Flying The Nest Exhibition, Open Arts Space, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex

Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Open Summer Exhibition, by Colchester Art Society at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

In 2017

The Minories Christmas Market at The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex

Autumn Exhibition, The Naze Tower, Walton on the Naze, Essex

Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Back Catalogue Exhibition, The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

In 2016

Wood Turned Exhibition, The Minories Gallery, Colchester, Essex Solo

Open Studios at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Outside 16 Exhibition, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

Designer Crafts at the Mall, Society of Designer Craftsmen Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London

First Cuckoo of Spring Exhibition, The Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex

In 2015

Christmas Kaleidoscope, The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex

New Designers, Business Design Centre, London