Saw marks and splinters bring sculptures to life

The Holmfirth-based artist works to bring the tradition of wood carving into a contemporary gallery setting - with the smell, textures and colours of his sculptures making the exhibition a mutli-sensory experience, “where bark, saw marks and energetic splinters contrast with fine craftsmanship”.

The exhibition sees large sculptures, the first of such scale, shown alongside smaller pieces and drawings.

Mr Firth said: “Wood is a fleshy material and I want the visitor to have a sense of the figures I make, not just see them. In their presence it’s hard, even for me, not to feel something when looking them in the eye. Whilst making I think about the people I draw, the people I’ve known, the person I am. I invite people to identify with these sculptures- an affinity with the material should make that possible.”

The exhibition runs from Saturday May 26 to Sunday July 1, with a wood carving workshop on June 8 and artist’s talk on June 13.