Exhibition Review: Ditchling Museum of art + craft. New truths to materials - Wood

If you get a chance to visit the latest exhibition at the award winning building of Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft then their latest exhibition New truths to materials: Wood is well worth the trip.

New truths to materials: Wood is the first in a series of multi-disciplinary exhibitions to be held at Ditching that consider how we respond to different materials and objects.

The current exhibition looks at our emotional response to wood, a very versatile material with pieces by a group of contemporary and traditional artists, designers and craftsmen from over a hundred years including Graham Sutherland, Sebastian Cox, Anna Maria Pacheco and Forest & Found. 

Part of the exhibition is an amazing film of Ash Dome a living artwork created by David Nash, it shows how over time ash trees he planted in 1977 have evolved and changed creating a monument to humanity alongside nature.

Then you have the work of Tom Raffield, an amazing designer and craftsman who explores timber further creating unique pieces of furniture and lighting ''that must be beautiful in form and practical in function'' hung next to a classical vintage piece of furniture by Robin and Lucienne Day.

I love the juxtaposition of sculptural and practical pieces of work, the Anna Maria Pacheco head speaks volumes, a haunting expressive sculpture. If you haven't seen her work before do look into it, amazing evocative artwork. 

Then there are little surprises like the work of Laura Ford: Espaliered Girl 2007 a cast bronzed and patinated piece, its a classic example of Laura's work blending fantasy with a touch of mischief and tenderness. 

 Overall its a fantastic exhibition in a truly beautiful museum which also holds important works by the artists and craftspeople who were drawn to the small village in East Sussex, including the sculptor Eric Gill, calligrapher Edward Johnston, painter David Jones and many more plus a cosy shop and cafe to get lost in your thoughts.

New Truths To Materials: Wood is on till 1st of January 2018 I can't wait for the next one in the series!