Hi David
I find Rosemary's work very interesting and inspirational. It is always interesting to me to see how different people think and work in the same material as me.
The thread you started was interesting but I did not get chance to comment.
It is worth noting that although we share a common language with our cousins over the water, we have far more in common with France and Germany than we ever will with America.
It is not only America that thinks differently about woodturning.
The best way for people to answer questions about woodturning and how it is viewed by other disciplines, the public and galleries is to look at the other disciplines, the way in which these makers think about their work, quality and methods of working, as well as marketing etc. To visit galleries and see what is on display and how it compares.
Unfortunately from my experience of trying to get my work into mixed media galleries the word 'woodturning' alone carries with it for some with negative connotations.
I have taken it upon myself to ask many a ceramics, jewellery, glass and sculpture friends when first meeting them what their thoughts are on woodturning, most do not want to comment until I explain my reason for asking, once I get them to open up I am afraid the comments are not flattering.
People need to make their own decisions as to why these makers and gallery owners comment as they do by looking at what others make outside of woodturning produce and how they present it.
However it would be wrong to say that all ceramicists, glass makers and other artists all produce quality work as their is some rubbish out there in all fields. Just as it would be wrong to say all woodturners do not produce great work as there are many that do.
Woodturners as a whole do seem to be heavily involved/concerned in learning tool technique but do not seem to put the same energy into learning about design.
Of course I base my comments on what I have seen and this does not mean I am right, just voicing my thoughts.