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)

Collective Member at The Handmade Shop & Gallery

Member of Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB)

Member of two Essex & Suffolk 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 social media Twitter account @RowzoMaker.

Looking into 2021!

Keep an eye here as they appear... (updated 01/09/21)

I plan to spend the rest of 2021 developing my work leading to new and more complex pieces for display/sale in current and new galleries & shops as well as online in the future.

I continue to work on commissions, contact me at rowzo@tiscali.co.uk and I'd be happy to discuss any queries or commissions you may be interested in.

This experience has shown to me how I thrive on meeting and discussing my work (and other's) with people, something I wasn't confident to do when I started. I love to encourage people to handle/experience how tactile my work is. Aspects including texture, weight and natural warmth is something you don't experience by looking at a photo.

I look forward to a time when we can meet in person again. Keep well and be safe...

Places to view and purchase my work...

STOCKISTS -

The Handmade Shop and Gallery - 77a St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SQ.

I excitedly joined this established and wonderfully creative/handmade shop & gallery as a 'Collective Member' in July 2021. They stock a decent selection of my trees, bowls and vessels as well as a few special and larger pieces.

The Jessica Muir Gallery - Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9JR.

I'm delighted to be back with a selection of larger and medium sized burrs, bowls and fruits in interesting forms and woods.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS in 2021 -

SOON 11th & 12th September Open Studios 'Outside' 2021 at Cuckoo Farm Studios, Colchester, Essex.

My home this year is a spacious gazebo (in fresh air) outside the Benham Gallery as I am not opening my studio.

PAST EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS UNDERTAKEN -

In 2021

Summer Online Exhibition by the Colchester Art Society Virtual

In 2020

3rd Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual

Christmas Online Exhibition by the Colchester Arts Society Virtual - My Tree was chosen for the poster & sold

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

Christmas Kaleidoscope 2020 at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex

Guest Artist for November & December 2020 at The Handmade Shop & Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

2nd Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual

1st Virtual Exhibition by NewArtForYou Virtual

Summer Exhibition Online by the Colchester Art Society Virtual

- Coronavirus (Covid-19) effected the UK & World mid March 2020 -

Guest Artist for 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, Essex

Christmas Kaleidoscope at The Sentinel Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex

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