Wood Turning: The Purpose of the Object

Canadian artist Stephen Hogbin was central to the growth of the international woodturning movement as an artist and an educator, inspiring individuals in the United Kingdom, Australia, France and Germany to explore their own traditions in light of what came to be called The American Studio Woodturning Movement. Stephen Hogbin is recognized internationally by collectors, educators and professional organizations for his influence in studio wood turning and furniture making. In the early 1970s, he developed a rich vocabulary of alternate forms to the 1000-year-old technique of lathe work. These innovative forms became a keystone to the development of the contemporary domain. Stephen also invented the variable arm milling machine which enables fluid mark making in solid materials and a free form carving process. In 1975, Stephen was invited to spend a year as craftsman-in-residence at Melbourne State College in Australia. During that year, he concentrated on wood-turning, exploring and extending the function of the lathe and discovering the possibilities of Australian native woods. The product of his year as craftsman-in-residence is shown in the book. He is deeply concerned with the purpose of the object and his object range from an egg-cup to a pillar for the Art Centre entrance. Whatever the object may be, it makes an aesthetic statement that is original and exciting. This is superbly illustrated in the brilliant photographs of Tony Boyd. The book, while not setting out to explain the technique of wood turning, contains insights into Hogbin's approach to woodcraft as well as interesting information on the wood-turning lathe, eccentricities in wood-turning, and the diversity of Australian wood, but essentially it is a presentation of the work of a master craftsman.