Barnaby Ash & Dru Plumb

Ash & Plumb

Woodturner

A friendship with timeless form

Dru and Barnaby’s love for woodturning stems from a deep appreciation for wood and the simplicity of the toolset
They celebrate the natural imperfections of the material through stitchwork repair techniques
They draw on inspiration from ancient visual and psychological archetypes

From trying out a friend's lathe in 2019 to setting up a workshop in their garage, Dru Plumb and Barnaby Ash’s journey into woodturning emerged naturally and humbly. It grew steadily into much more. Today, their work is featured at London’s Collect Art Fair and has been acquired by the National Museum of Scotland. Fascinated by the ancient forms that humans are continually drawn to, their work playfully taps into this historical familiarity. In parallel to this, they claim that it is their willingness to allow concepts to fail that has allowed them to develop their approach. It is perhaps this acceptance of the unknown combined with their understanding of the past—the known, timeless forms—that gives vitality to the grooves of Barnaby and Dru's woodturned vessels.

Interview

What was the first object you ever made?: Dru: A friend bought Barnaby a book on spoon carving, and he carved an exceptionally rustic cooking spoon from a very knotty piece of ash. We still have it in the kitchen somewhere. Barnaby: Dru made some leather sheaths for my chisels as a starting point for developing the stitchwork we use in our practice today.
What draws you to the materials that you work with?: Dru: There is something magnificent about trees and the material they provide us, the way the wood warps and moves as it dries and continues to breathe with the seasons, and the beautiful imperfections inherent within it. It is a wonderfully honest material that suits a more intuitive and collaborative way of working.
How does your work process usually start?: Barnaby: Generally, the starting point for everything we do is to research ancient and historical vessels, seeking to translate these visual archetypes into our own language. We will then loosely sketch ideas before refining these forms further during the making process.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?: Dru: Alongside ancient references, it is important to spend time in nature for inspiration and restoration. We are outside every day with our two dogs, Oscar and Alfie, walking them on the South Downs and further afield. Natural forms inspire us, whether the rolling hills or a weathered old fence post.

Barnaby Ash & Dru Plumb are rising stars: they began their career in 2019