PRESS RELEASE

Very few people know from the age of nine what they want to do but for Tony Wood art was a quest, a way of life which he never lost sight off until the end of his life in November 2006.

 

In April 2008, Gallery Terracina, Canal Basin, Haven Banks, Exeter is delighted to be hosting a Retrospective Exhibition of the work of this artist, Tony Wood, spanning 6 decades from a youth capturing Epping Forest in paint; through emerging years as an artist in parts of England; reflections of a period bathed in landscapes of Gibralter & Andalusia, to his maturing work in Devon, largely created at the Clay Door Studio in Chudleigh.

 

Describing himself as a ceramic sculptor and mixed-media artist, he explored the tensions and metamorphosis in matter, but at the same time aimed to achieve a sense of stability and balance.  There are often contradictions involved with combining living clay with discarded rusty metals, brittle wires, nails, nuts and bolts; or collaging mundane paper, card & paint with beach salvage and plastics.  The traditional distinctions between sculpture and paintings dissolve as sculptures are imbued with pigments, graphite and blowtorch whilst pictures structurally burst out of the confines of a frame.  

 

Series of 2D works evoke stages along a journey – sometimes comfortably familiar – sometimes reminiscent of the struggle – the barrier – the abyss – the island of isolation – all challenging man on his physical and spiritual path.

 

Many may recall unusual images largely of Devon estuaries and landscapes and been struck by their subtle tactile qualities and juxtapositions of unusual materials. These works, often simply called “Marks of Land and Water” have in recent years been displayed in various west country galleries, SW Sculptors exhibitions, the Art Farm Project at Rocombe Farm, Open Studio Events in Chudleigh, Gallery Terracina Exeter and finally in L’Ere du Large gallery, Locquirec Brittany.

 

As well as creating art, Tony offered classes from his studio to adults and children of all ages and abilities and was a much loved pottery teacher for those with special needs at “The Home Farm Trust”, Rivendel, Chudleigh and the “New Horizons” adult education project in Teignmouth & Dawlish. His calm, quiet nature and creative spirit inspired many to discover and unleash their own creative possibilities.