The Grain | Richard Goldsworthy

Richard Goldworthy’s creative approach is a delicate balancing act between his own artistic input and allowing materials to find their own visual expression. Goldsworthy celebrates the inherent beauty of the natural world, often using green wood and allowing it to evolve during the drying process. Through carving, sanding, and burning, he manipulates wood to produce striking contrasts that expose and highlight natural features contained within. However, for this exhibition, Goldsworthy is showcasing new wall-based works that employ kiln-dried Ash, along with the introduction of pewter. The kiln-dried wood allows the grain to become the main focus without the distraction of splits found in green wood. But for his new sculptural work, he has started to use darker woods such as Oak and Walnut, which introduces a richer palette and, when charred and juxtaposed with pewter, emphasizes the grain and creates a striking visual contrast.

Sustainability is increasingly important to Goldworthy’s practice. He strives to minimize waste and the environmental impact by sourcing materials locally, using storm-felled wood whenever possible, and incorporating eco-friendly practices.

Richard Goldsworthy is based at The Hugo Burge Foundation in Berwickshire. He has received the RSA Barns-Graham Travel Award and the WASPS award at the RSA 195th Annual Show. Recently, he was selected to participate in Ash Rise, which tours around Scotland starting at The John Hope Gallery with the Scottish Furniture Makers. He has exhibited extensively, including representing Craft Scotland at the recent ‘Collect’ international craft and design exhibition in London.