Things has manifested as an ever growing collection of works, nicknamed Lignum Novis which roughly translates to unique or odd wood. Each piece, though presented in the same Cherry framed format, is a combination of exploration, adaptation, simple surprise and adoration of the characteristics of wood. Through framing, curious moments of arboreal happenstance are set apart. Whether it is painstakingly carving a rounded band out of a single block of Cherry, finding pleasing shape and design in lightning struck Poplar or simply being awed by the traces of new limb growth left encased in the grain of an old Chestnut Oak, each piece has both been found and found me.
THINGS 4
$750
12" W x 12" H x 2 3/4" D
Loblolly Pine Burl, Cherry
A significant Loblolly Pine burl, shaved from the side of a log and almost constricted by its framing, reminds us of the similarities of near all biologic growths. Burls in wood, often prized for their complex and dense grain, closely mirror scar tissue, reflecting a shared nature of healing.
This burl, saved and set aside during milling, came from the towering Loblolly Pine we use to create all our charred work, both limited edition pieces and bespoke projects. The sculpture is mounted to the artist-made Cherry frame and set off against a background of deep, matte black paint. To date, seven Things have been created by Michael; see all the series pieces below.
