David Nash: Sculpture through the Seasons has been described as his largest and most ambitious exhibition ever presented in Wales. The exhibition marks the fiftieth anniversary of the artist living and working in Capel Rhiw – a former Methodist chapel in Blaenau Ffestiniog, north Wales.
The exhibition features key sculptures from the late 1960s to the present day, exploring the different ways the artist has cut, carved and manipulated wood to produce sculptures that sit between the abstract and figurative. The amount of work exhibited was powerful, just through the sheer amount; this was a lifetime project.
Trees and the natural environment are central to Nash’s work, which extends to living sculptures including Ash Dome – a work that emerged from the planting of a circle of 22 ash trees in 1977. These time-based works are included in the exhibition through photographs, films and drawings. It was incredible to see the film of these trees growing, and the planning and precise time scale Nash used to create these amazing sculptures that show us the importance of wildlife, especially trees. They really captured the ruggedness and beauty of the north Wales landscape.
David Nash is one of Britain’s most important artists, his work has featured in exhibitions across the world and he is represented in many major museum collections. This international reputation was formed in the particulars of place and environment – the studio at Capel Rhiw and the seasons and elements of the surrounding Snowdonia landscape.
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