Worshipful Company of Turners Quadrennial Event

Every 4 years The Worshipful Company of Turners put on a curated showcase of woodturning in the prestigious Carpenters Hall London- Wizardry in Wood. It’s a grand showcase of the skill of wood turning - celebrating the medium.

We were honoured to be invited to the launch of the event, and to meet with the makers behind the work. 

The exhibition houses 25 exhibiting contemporary makers; the Kew Economic Botany Collection; the Daniel Collection and curated display of AWGB (Association of Woodturners of Great Britain) competition winners and participants. 

Carpenters Hall provided a stunning backdrop to proceedings, with intricate wood carved detailing throughout the building. 

Exhibiting makers included Eleanor Lakelin, Ray Key, Phil Irons and Louise Hibbert. It was great to have a chance to meet the people behind the work, and especially to see and touch the incredibly tactile wooden objects.

There were also demonstrations throughout the event. Turning on the electric lathe was demonstrated by young turners- the next generation of skilled makers. The Society of Ornamental Turners demonstrated the use of the ‘Holtzapffel’ lathe. The lathe creates patterns which you wouldn’t think possible to create with a lathe, and model they were demonstrating was made in 1837 and yet hadn’t once had it’s bearings changed!

It was a great opportunity to mingle with these skilled makers, and to see the incredible work first hand. The event only happens once every four years, so let's hope the next show in 2020 is just as impressive. 

 

Cover Image: Voided Vessel by Eleanor Lakelin