EXHIBITOR FOCUS:
ASHLEY MARTIN
Ashley Martin is a self-taught sculptor and craftsman based in Ashville, North Carolina. He had his formal training at Ohio University in Aviation and Meteorology department. To further his creative pursuits, he founded Ash Woodworking company in the year 2016. Initially, he began working on projects involving utilitarian functional objects such as vessels and jewellery. As he developed his oeuvre, he started to find a fine balance between form, function and aesthetic value among his creations. At Present, Ashley is working as an apprentice at Casey Johnson Studio formerly known as Fox Wood Company where he is working on creating large scale sculpted furniture.
Ashley’s work pushes the conventional boundaries of sculpture. His anthropomorphic forms justify his keen observations and sensitivity to his environment and outside studio experiences.
His creative instincts raise the seemingly traditional vessel objects to aesthetically sensible and appealing sculptural forms. For instance, the ‘Bleached maple jug’ or the ‘Maple fluted vessel’ with a curved handle both might appear traditional in terms of their utilitarian value. Ashley’s aesthetic sensibilities have successfully transformed these
Objects of traditional functional value to objects with fine elegance. Thus, creating a fine balance in both form and its functionality. His collection imbibes both contemporary and traditional carving skills as previously acquired by seasoned craftsmen. His organic forms testify to his dexterity to flow with ease between his knowledge about the traditional techniques of the craft and to expand his conceptual ideas into material reality.
The variation in his creation bespeaks his sensitivity to organic forms and spaces. This in turn has enabled Ashley to translate his nascent ideas into material objects that are both aesthetically moving as well sustainable. His oeuvre has added diversity to Cluster Crafts.
His endeavour is to keep on developing his oeuvre which is unique, sustainable and justifies his sensibilities as an artist and maintains a fine balance between both contemporary and traditional craft techniques.
Thank you for reading,
Aditi Kumar & Cluster Team.