Woodworks: A group exhibition exploring the use of wood in contemporary art

LAMB Gallery is pleased to present ‘Woodworks’, a group exhibition exploring the use of wood in contemporary art through the work of 17 artists that engage with the material across the mediums of painting, sculpture and installation. Drawing inspiration from art history, religion and nature, the artists in the exhibition use wood as both surface and subject matter, harnessing its qualities in ways that are as traditional as they are unconventional.

Upon entering the gallery, we encounter Joe Tilson’s 1982 piece, ‘Proscemi for Kore.’ Tilson stood as a prominent figure in the British Pop Art movement. Drawing from his background as a carpenter and joiner, Tilson crafted wooden reliefs and constructions throughout his career. Often characterised by vibrant colours, these works typically underscore his fascination with language, puzzle creation, and symbolism as well as his mastery as a woodworker.

Moving through the exhibition, we are presented with Edmund de Waal’s 2020 painting, ‘Elegie.’ This piece is part of a series motivated by the writings of poet Rainer Maria Rilke, a constant inspiration for the artist. ‘Elegie’ marks one of de Waal’s initial ventures into utilising porcelain in liquid form, skilfully applied onto a wood panel layered with gold leaf. The wooden panel plays a vital role for de Waal in these series, becoming the support for the artist’s signature use of porcelain.

Whilst de Waal uses wood as support structure, the material becomes the very subject matter in Giorgio van Meerjwik’s 2023 work ‘Roadside apparition’. The artist considers ideas of human-plant relationship, folklore, medicine and symbolism- erecting a delicate, relic-like tree within the gallery space.

Alvaro Barrington and Anderson Borba approach the use of wood in a much more raw and organic manner. In his 2021 work ‘Jamaica’, Barrington tightly encloses the painting in a prominent wooden frame, adding a sculptural quality to the work. Similarly sculptural in his practice, Borba carves, scratches and cuts into thick cuts of wood producing reliefs of tactile, bodily quality.

Raising questions about representation and spirituality, the exhibition presents a survey of how contemporary artists have continuously worked with wood in unorthodox ways to convey different narratives, questions and meanings. By including a diverse cast of artists from different generations, nationalities, and backgrounds, the exhibition aims to highlight the breath of the gallery’s programme and ethos.

Artists include: Matt Ager, Alvaro Barrington, Anderson Borba, Alexandre da Cunha, Fiza Ghauri, Daiga Grantina, Ana Mazzei, Giorgio van Meerwijk, Louise Nevelson, Ben Nicholson, Fernando Otero, Taygoara Schiavinoto, Emma Sheehy, Orfeo Tagiuri, Joe Tilson, Antoine Wagner and Edmund de Waal.