Tidal

Matthew Kendall

An elliptical form, ‘Tidal’ has been carved into a sphere and then shaped as if by tides, added to by its polished and partially scorched surface. This work forms part of British sculptor Matthew Kendall’s first limited edition collection for Them Outdoors.

Matthew’s five-piece collection is made from a single fallen oak tree, sourced from the South Downs National Park. Through his process, the artist develops a unique relationship with each of his works and uncovers characteristics that lead to it’s final finish; some grooved, some hollowed, some polished, some scorched, some oiled.

Tidal has been scorched, polished and sealed with natural oil to enhance the grain of the wood and ensure longevity. The scorching of wood is an ancient Japanese technique called ‘shou sugi ban’ or ‘yakisugi’ and will also prolong the life of the piece. As the scorched spheres weather, raw wood will appear in the cracks and some scorched areas may lighten, creating a more natural appearance.

Oak is one of the hardiest woods and best for enduring varying seasons. These spheres are what the artist describes as ‘living sculptures’, designed to respond to the natural environment around them. They will adjust to the seasons, twisting and cracking as they dry out in warmer weather and gradually silvering over time. If desired, sculptures can be moved indoors during more extreme weather or kept indoors in order to retain their original condition.

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