Andrew Spilsbury
Andrew Spilsbury | Wood | Devon
Andrew makes ‘Shaker style’ wooden boxes and other items, drawing on the traditions of simple elegant design combined with usefulness of purpose.
His boxes are crafted primarily from thin strips or veneers of cherry and maple woods in laminated and solid wood forms and fastened with copper tacks and rivets. Bending the wood to form the oval shape, which is characteristic of his boxes, involves ‘steaming’ in a water bath to make the material pliable. Joints are made in the traditional swallowtail shape which adds strength. Lids and bottoms are held in place with small wooden pegs and not glued in place.
Andrew’s interest in woodworking started in childhood, literally at the kitchen table, much to his mother’s dismay.
Andrew has had a rewarding career as a horticulturist. Changing direction recently to pursue his other passion - working with wood. Andrew says “my election as a member of MAKE Southwest (formerly Devon Guild of Craftsmen) is a great honour and encouragement to my work”.
Like many artists and craftsmen, Andrew finds inspiration in the natural world and his work celebrates the beauty within his chosen medium, “natural materials link us to our environment and can give us a sense of calm and stability”.