How do we take woodturning into the future?
My first problem is understanding the meaning of the question.
Are you asking us to consider how we get the next generation interested in woodturning and perpetuate the art,
or,
Are you asking us how we think the art of woodturning can be expanded into the public psyche to make it a recognised art form in its own right.
These two ways at looking at the question may also be considered opposite sides of the same coin. The more Woodturners there are, the more ‘other people’ that will become familiar with non-function turned work and the more it will become accepted.
So what am I trying to say.
To start with, as Woody says, teach our children and grandchildren. No they won’t all get bitten by the bug immediately, but in years to come some of them will remember and come to it naturally. Schools should also have their part to play but nowadays many of them only teach the design and process of handcrafts, actually doing it – far too dangerous, sharp tools, rotating objects, they are risk too averse.
The days when clubs take in the local Scout or Guide groups, Youth training days and all those events are becoming terribly important. But too few and too brief to do more than show a possibility to the attendees. Dad’s or Granddads workshop with its repetition of work, interesting corners, strange tools and smells. Look back at how ‘you’ came to it, what lead or prompted you to ‘have a go’ and get bitten by the bug.
The problem is, unlike when many of us were younger, nowadays there are very many more distractions and pursuits for people to use to while away their free time – computers and the next generation of ‘pads’ being some of the worst.
As for the second possible question meaning, I think (can’t prove) that our three biggest challenges are;
a. Stopping people thinking of woodturning as a ‘Trade’, producing chair legs, salad bowls and wooden spoons etc..
b. The population of the UK are not naturally drawn to owning Art, we’re barely out of the 3 ducks on the wall or poster (without frame) stage.
c. It’s only a bit of wood, it can’t be worth much – or similar!
John, you mentioned the Worshipful Company of Turners, somewhere in the last couple of weeks I’ve read about the wonderful pieces of turned work they’ve been keeping hidden away and are now putting on show (albeit briefly). It’s these things from our past that should be visible all the time to show it’s not all Salad bowls and spoons.
Turned work is available in the UK but I’ve never seen it outside of Craft Galleries, where it is considered a ‘Craft’ item despite the level of work some items require. We need to get Art Galleries to stand our work alongside paintings (splodge on canvas!) and sculpture (piles of bricks and unmade beds!) as something for the general public to own. This leap has been made in America and I think to some extent Australia (I can’t speak for other countries).
So there is my initial thoughts – your turn, support me or argue against, but please, don’t read and pass on. All thoughts on this question have much value and worth.
