For this month’s Art Works we heard from Marcus Rowlands, whose intricate wooden mandalas are on display at the New Art Exchange’s Open exhibition throughout this month.
This piece is called White Falcon I and is part of a series. It is 1.2m in diameter and explores geometry and both quiet and disruptive movement. It was inspired by seeing a beautiful print from 17th century Japanese printmaker Isoda Koryusai. The colours, composition and presence of the piece took me by surprise – I was compelled to honour it in a series of works.
I have been creating artwork ever since my auntie got me to copy art at her house when I was young. My first show in 1996 was at the Bonington Gallery in Nottingham. I collaborated with my wife Maria Woolley and a dance company called InEquation – we created large fabric installations that people could climb into and move with them – completely different to where my focus is at the moment.
It's a dance of sorts and I am always attempting to express myself with CNC technology and tools
Each piece takes about one to two weeks starting with drawing in Fusion and programming. It's a dance of sorts and I am always attempting to express myself with CNC technology and tools.
Both before and after the cutting I use wood stain as opposed to paint to add colour and to exploit the grain and layers within birch plywood.
I am interested in creating shadows and memories within the work, by sensitively removing wood layers down to 0.1mm. I repeat this many times both when the stain is wet and dry depending on the effect I am attempting to control.
At the moment I welcome more inspiration through conversations with close friends and curious folks, as opposed to specific artists' work. I am however reading a great book called The Hidden Geometry of Flowers by Keith Critchlow.
It's a real pleasure to be chosen to exhibit at NAE Open alongside local and national artists. I have another piece of work with charity Britten Pears Arts in the summer.
White Falcon I is showcased at the New Art Exchange Open exhibition throughout August.
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