When I visited FarmED at Shipton-under-Wychwood earlier this year, I could not help but notice some absolutely stunning wood sculptures in the reception area and on display in the café. All are created by Rhys Davis who has spent years developing his skills as an artisan wood sculpture. Wanting to know more about his work, I recently met up with Rhys to find out about his exquisite wood creations.
Having started his working life indoors most of the time, Rhys wanted to do something which would allow him to be outdoors and get closer to nature. He envisaged being able to work in horticulture in some way, but whilst doing some part-time ground maintenance for a friend, he was introduced to a tree surgeon/arborist. Having already obtained qualifications for undertaking groundwork associated with tree surgery, Rhys spent eight months working with the tree surgeon. As a former rock climber, Rhys was used to tackling ropes and safety equipment and had a head for heights, so he began the process of undertaking the necessary training to provide him with the required knowledge about trees, their required maintenance and all the safety aspects to ensure that everything is carried out in a safe, methodical manner.
As a child his parents had encouraged his love of the natural world, and he had numerous pets and chickens to take care of as he grew up. However, when Rhys got to work with trees, he learned more about the habitats they provide for insects, birds and small mammals. A passionate conservationist, he hopes that one day he will be able to fund a conservation project from the sale of his wood sculptures.
As you can imagine, working as an arborist in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and further afield, Rhys has access to numerous pieces of wood cut down from trees, but he started his woodcraft making bird boxes. Wanting a much more varied, bigger challenge, he quickly turned his skills to creating other wooden items. “Different trees have different colours and characteristics,” says Rhys. “Sometimes, I know immediately what I want to create with a piece of root, a branch or trunk. The wood ‘talks’ to me but sometimes I need to give thought to what I am going to create. After all, some of the wood I work with has taken over a century to grow so I don’t want to make hasty decisions.”
One of the trees that Rhys favours is Wellingtonia (sequoiadendron giganteum). This familiar tree grows in parks, large gardens and private estates throughout Britain. It has soft, fibrous rusty-red bark which can be over 20cm thick on mature trees. In the USA, these trees are called ‘giant redwoods’ and they can grow over 50 metres tall.
“Wood from these magnificent trees is usually impossible to come by,” Rhys explains. “I chanced upon a tree that had been accidentally cut down by a huge groundwork company and wanted to make something significant with the timber which is truly an incredible colour. I combined it with timber from a Norwegian Spruce to make the legs, resulting in a ‘spider table.’ The tree was approximately 150 years old, and these protected trees have a rich heritage as they were planted fifty years after the Battle of Waterloo to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s victory over Napolean. On another occasion, a TPO had been lifted on another Wellingtonia as it was destroying the foundations of a million-pound house and with that, I made a smaller table which had silver birch legs. If Wellingtonia is oiled, the rich pink colour is magnified.”
Through his association with Daylesford Organic at Kingham, Rhys first exhibited his work some ten years ago at the 2015 Daylesford Farm Summer Fair. “What is always wonderful when exhibiting wooden sculptures, is that people love to touch wood as it is tactile and warm, unlike stone sculptures which can often feel cold. I also love the way wood ages and changes over time. I usually leave it in a natural state even if the piece is to go outside. As it weathers, it will change colour and develop new characteristics.”
And does he have a favourite wood? “No; each species of tree is different, but all have fantastic qualities, colours, textures and longevity. Since I started creating wood sculptures, I have learned a lot about the timber I work with in my day-to-day job as a tree surgeon. I have also learned more about myself; when I am creating a piece that may take hours of sanding and preparation, I have learned the art of patience and just let the piece develop as I work with it. I know that the items I create give me as much pleasure to make as they do their new owners as they use them as a focal point in their garden or as a piece of modern art in their homes.”
Although most of his work involves creating sculptures from wood which has been cut down, sometimes he gets the chance to work with a living tree as was the case when Rhys created a castle-inspired living sculpture using an ash tree at the Oversley Castle renovation near Broadway in Worcestershire. He was also commissioned by Lady Bamford to create a living willow heart which was constructed along the lines of the heart motif used on Daylesford branding. He has repeated this design for a wedding and a christening, and both were planted in the clients’ gardens to grow as a permanent memory of their memorable occasion.
Rhys attends various shows around Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and further afield exhibiting his work. He was one of only fifty artisans to display their work as part of a virtual display organised by the Haywood Gallery in London’s Southbank. He is a member of the Worcester Guild of Designer Craftsmen, and hows his work at both RHS Malvern Spring and Autumn Shows with this Guild. He also sponsored garden designer Emily Crowley-Wroe from April House Garden Design at RHS Malvern Spring Show in 2022, when her The Hide Garden won an RHS Silver Gilt.
To find out more visit rhysdaviswoodcraft.co.uk
