David Nash

Description

Charred columns have recurred regularly in David Nash's work since 1983. The column is clearly a form which is directly related to the nature of trees - vertical, and narrow or broad depending on the species used. Nash's first charred column was made in 1983 in sycamore, at the Forest Park in St Louis, now in a collection in Florida. Another was made in Japan in 1984 and is now in the collection of the Setagaya Museum. The first oak column, made in Belgium, is in a private collection in the south of France. These varied places reflect the fact that Nash is often invited to make works with woods in specific locations in order that the sculpture may remain in the region where the tree had grown, or be shown in a museum central to the locality.

Threshold Column was made in David Nash's studio in Blaenau Ffestiniog from Sussex oak and was first shown in New York at Galerie Le Long. One of a series of works made on the theme of the 'threshold' - an opening, but in this case not large enough to enter physically - this is the first version that can be shown in the open air. The tree's natural bulk has allowed Nash the freedom to carve robustly, but also to acknowledge the attributes offered by this particular trunk. The charred surface is achieved by cladding the sculpture with light combustible materials held in place by floorboards, and setting them alight. For this process the sculpture may lie horizontally or stand vertically. This is a vital and risky moment in the progress of the sculpture, as the flames have to be controlled by spraying water over the surface so that it burns evenly. Steam and smoke combine to dramatic effect and the charred sculpture is revealed as the boards fall away. David Nash says, 'Charring transforms the surface from a vegetable material to carbon. The sense of scale and time are strangely changed. The charred form feels compacted yet distanced in space'.