About the Artist

Danish artist Merete Larsen comes to the art of wood through her work in cabinetmaking and furniture restoration. Her knowledge and experience of wood is extensive.  She began turning wood nearly fifteen years ago and strives to refine her skills and intuition about the material.

Projects begin with a chainsaw and log. She cuts sections of wood from the log and brings them into the studio for work on the lathe. Her objective is to extract from the raw wood, forms that have elegance and refinement. “I like the contrast between the piece of solid wood that I mount on my lathe and the delicate and translucent object that emerges from it after hours and hours of turning.”

About the Work

There can be no question of Larsen’s mastery. Turned on the lathe without internal support, the wall of a Larsen vessel is so thin it is measured in millimeters. Working with woods native to Denmark, such as ash, beech and sycamore, her pieces becomes so light and delicate they are rendered translucent. Even those that she colors or stains with her vibrant palette, retain this quality; the grain and character of the wood remains apparent beneath the tints. Their volume and appearance of mass belie their near absence of weight. 

Selected Exhibits

2007    

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
“Turning Wood Into Art,” Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London, UK
Trapholt Museum, Kolding, Denmark

2006     
Carlin Gallery, Paris, France

2003      
Museet for Dansk Kunst, Randers Kunstmuseum

Selected Collections

The Danish State Art Foundation
Museum of Craft and Design, New York
Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN