Consumed/Consumé

Guildworks presents an installation of 15 turned, carved and burned sculptural vessels by wood-turner Andreas Krätschmer from September 11 – October 10. Influenced by the growing number of devastating wildfires in Canada and around the world, Consumed/Consumé explores themes of fragility, resilience and the human relationship with nature. Opening reception on September 11, 4-6pm.

Artist Statement:
“Over the last couple of years, I have slowly incorporated the use of fire into my work. First, purely for the esthetic appeal of the scorched surface of a black vessel. Then, fire became part of the creation process once I noticed it’s impact on the final shape of a piece, altering the speed and intensity of how the wood dries and warps. The more I used fire in my process, the bolder I got, charring my pieces in higher, hotter flames, but always in a controlled, tamed manner.

But can fire really be tamed? Devastating wildfires, consuming forests all around the world, prove otherwise. Some fires are natural, some are man-made. All have an impact on our climate.

Our forests play a crucial part in the Earth’s water cycle. Trees hold and store enormous amounts of water, slowly releasing it into the atmosphere through evaporation. Once consumed by flames, trees lose this capability.

The 15 vessels in my installation ‘Consumed’ are all cracked, they can’t hold water, but they remind us of the life that used to flow through the tree. They remind us of the importance forests play as climate regulators. And they give us hope because a forest may be fragile but it is always resilient and where there is water, new life will follow and the circle of nature will resume.”