Each piece tells a story of the beautiful individuality of the tree that gave birth to it. The Wild Olive shows the natural holes and gnarly form of its root system, while the Norfolk Pine has almost symmetrical red knots indicating the presence of radial branches.

“I first discovered woodturning while living on South Africa’s Garden Route, a forested area known for its craftsmen, some 25 years ago,” says Band. “I started by making “normal stuff” like peanut dishes and salad bowls when I wasn’t working as a tour guide. But I soon grew bored and started to experiment with wood that had irregularities and imperfections. In 2009 I packed in my day job and started working with huge logs, roots and stumps.”

He describes his job as “mindfully holding the chisel and allowing for Mother Nature to take Her unique form in that particular moment.”

The journey: from log to bowl

He scrounges his raw materials from rubbish dumps and tree fellers who are happy for him to take the logs off their hands. Once he’s chosen where the faceplate will go, he steps back and allows the chisel and the wood to start forming.

A faceplate is attached to the log, and then to a spinning lathe. This requires thinking and precision. The position of the faceplate determines the shape, look and feel of the bowl. From here on his job is to remain vigilant and adaptable to the changing textures of the wood.

“Over the years I have developed my own style, a unique method that allows me to sculpture each bowl. I’ve managed to blend a technique whereby I turn the outside 100% but only turn the inside about 50%. The rest is then sculptured by hand.”

This process takes 7 days, including 3 days of hand sanding. A final polish and coat of wax complete the work of art.

For orders or commissions please contact Rodney at iamrodneyband@gmail.com

visit: www.rodneyband.co.za

 

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