Ted Knight (American, b. 1947). Turned spalted palo blanco wood vase, September 6, 2007. Signed, dated and identified as spalted palo blanco wood on the bottom. A magnificent spalted palo blanco vessel by master woodturner Ted Knight that in addition to reflecting Knight's undeniable artistry and technique brilliantly showcases the natural beauty of the wood itself. Made from a single piece palo blanco wood, this vessel presents an elegant inverted piriform shape, with a slightly raised integral band around the mouth of the vessel and a lustrous, golden surface that is embellished by countless attractive areas of darker coloration resulting from the spalting process. Spalting is a natural phenomenon caused by fungi that Knight skillfully induces and carefully moderates by controlling the humidity, temperature, oxygen level, and time. Finally, as if the gracefulness of the form and the beauty of the wood were not enough to make one fall under the spell of this magical vessel, the finish is remarkably smooth, so smooth that some have compared Knight's finishes to that of a Stradivarius! Size: 19.75" diameter (at widest point) x 20.25" H (50.2 cm x 51.4 cm)
Artist Statement: "I like large work. It has presence. You can easily see it. It is not shy. Intense, beautiful and spectacular, I want my work to elicit a strong response, not sit quietly in a corner, so I begin with big log sections, sometimes 600 or more pounds. A finished piece weighs an tenth of that or less and is one solid piece of wood. I only use pieces of wood that are beautiful specimens of their particular species. Finding and getting the wood I use into my studio is a story in itself. The process is complex, tedious and requires hours of intense concentration. A catch or slip can do terrible things to fingers and turn a large investment in time and effort into firewood in half a second. The all important drying process alone can take several years. A lot of painstaking work over many years is required to produce a finished piece. I have many pieces in progress in various stages of completion. Producing this kind of work requires more ability for concentration and detail over long periods of time than most people can tolerate. The results however are stunning objects of incredible form, grace and beauty- lasting monuments to the endearing beauty of wood." (Source: Thomas Anthony Gallery, Park City, Utah)
Creating wood vessels since 1971, Ted Knight started turning wood when he was only in junior high school. Following his graduation from the University of California at Berkeley in 1970, Knight established an architectural firm with a partner but continued exploring woodworking. By 1990, he stopped commercial work in order to become a full-time artist. Ted Knight's wood-turned vessels have been featured in many fine art galleries and collections throughout the world. He has received numerous prestigious awards in juried shows and has been honored with several solo and group exhibitions such as "Audacious: The Fine Art of Wood" at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts (February 21 - June 21, 2015). In addition, Knight's art has been featured in national and international publications.
Provenance: Private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection
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#175305
Condition
Choice condition. Signed, dated and identified as spalted palo blanco wood on the bottom. Three cork roundels on bottom to prevent sliding when displayed.