Operating from her workshop in Wallaga Lake, 350 km south of
Sydney, Margaret Kenny-Levick sculpts and turns vases, sculptures,
bowls and plates from local and imported timbers. She also uses
a range of seed pods from palms, leather, metal and fabric.
Her work recognises the form and nature of the timber which
she has available, often using green timber which, as it dries
and seasons, changes its shape. The piece becomes less symmetrical,
adding to the charm of the work and reflecting the tree from
which it originated.
Margaret
obtains her timbers from tree surgeons, National Park officers
and councils. She also sources foreign timbers, particularly
burls from sustainable Asian and British sources.
Margaret
Kenny-Levick has been turning wooden bowls, plates and ornaments
for ten years. Her work has evolved from teaching ceramics
in Brussels, a philosophy degree in Manchester and a period
as youth and community worker in central London.
Margaret
started furniture making in the 1980s, completing a City and
Guilds course at the London College of Furniture. She branched
into wood turning after a few years during which she made
a range of "organic" furniture, ranging from yew
tables to children's toys and Shaker rocking chairs.
Before
moving to Hong Kong at the turn of the millennium Margaret
Kenny-Levick had a workshop in Islington, making her the only
known professional female wood turner in central London. She
believes she had the same status in Hong Kong. Now in Australia
Margaret is bringing her skills and experience to produce a new
type of turned, carved and decorated wooden art. As well as
her work, Margaret teaches private classes that include all
of the skills of the wood turning craft.
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