Christopher Pike makes magnificent sculptures out of charred wood. Through carpentry, Christopher became more and more involved in the use of timber, after studying Fine Art at UCA Farnham. Collecting and working with wood over the years led him to become fascinated by their organic, textured qualities. Also an experienced architect, it is clear that Christopher's bold three-dimensional sculptures are informed by a highly geometric eye. These beautiful sculptures are defined by a unique material essence, in a return to one of wood's most captivating and distinctive qualities: its grain. Through charring and washing back, Chris works to reveal the wood's natural contours. His main material - Douglas fir - is a durable English softwood local to his studio in the UK's beautiful South Downs. He coaxes out the textures which represent growth in the tree. This means that whilst the structure of his sculptures remains highly controlled, he delights in how little say he has in determining how the final surface will turn out.

“The growth ring of a tree I relate very similarly to a contour on a map - that is, a man-made mark on a piece of paper that represents the land. The growth ring is the tree's version of setting its own imprint, its own contour line. You can often tell what has happened to a tree by that line. I hope people leave surprised by what a natural piece of wood can do.” CHRISTOPHER PIKE

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