‘Solas Gorm’, elm and resin vessel by Kathleen Walsh

Crafted from wood and resin, this vessel is crafted using traditional woodworking techniques, in particular woodturning. Titled ‘Solas Gorm’, the vessel is by Kathleen Walsh, an Ireland-based artist. With her work, Walsh redefines the boundaries of nature-inspired design and blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

The base of the olpe-shaped body is crafted from natural edge elm, a light brown hardwood. The woodturning process employed by Walsh brought out the beautiful knots, grains, and other naturally occurring patterns of this wood. A mixture of brown shades creates an intriguing composition and draws one’s eye upward towards the blue pop of colour. The bold hue is achieved with the use of resin, its translucent properties particularly standing out when placed in sunlight.

The crafting process of this elegant vessel is complex and time-consuming. Walsh employs the ‘twice turned’ woodturning method allowing for greater control over the final design. Firstly, the wood is ‘rough turned’, forming it to the general shape of the intended final form. After several weeks (sometimes even months) of drying, the wood is combined with polychrome resin and turned again, creating the final piece.

The lip of the vessel is crafted in the entirety from black and copper resin, the colouration matching the natural material below.

On the underside, the vessel is marked with Walsh’s mark.

Of an elegant design and crafted using a very time-consuming process, this contemporary vessel is a wonderful addition to one’s collection of home décor.