The gentle flow of wood
- John’s pieces capture organic forms, movement and energy in wood
- His designs develop through process-based explorations
- He typically sources materials for his pieces responsibly and locally
A self-described wood artist, John Glendinning crafts furniture and other objects that push the boundaries of creative woodworking and design. From his early discovery of his late grandfather’s antique woodworking tools to his ongoing exploration of digital modelling technologies and computer-controlled cutting machines, John’s creative journey is shot through with a restless curiosity. “The direction of my work is constantly evolving and under re-evaluation,” he says. Inspired by the structures and processes of the natural world, his pieces reflect a deep reverence for the wood he works with and the environment that provides it. John has been a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts since 2008 and has worked from his Sutton workshop since 2011.
Interview
- What was the first piece you ever made?
- When I was a child, my father and I would visit the local boat shop in the summer. I really liked the floatable, fish-shaped foam key tags they sold. My father had one, so I traced it on a piece of cedar and carved a little white fish as a key tag for his boat. I was probably eight or nine years old.
- Where did you learn your craft?
- After high school, I attended Conestoga College’s production woodworking technician program. I learned a lot, but I knew that a world of finer woodworking existed, and I wanted more. So I enrolled at Sheridan College. The experience changed my life. The studio master, Don McKinley, had a huge impact on me.
- Do you master any specific techniques?
- I get bored with doing run-of-the-mill, predictable things, so I try to push the envelope. I have developed strong skills in steam bending and laminating. I am currently working on a project inspired by natural, free-flowing organic forms, so I am exploring multi-axis wood turning.
- How do you approach your forms?
- I try to make my pieces look as if they are growing out of one another. I also enjoy creating organic forms with a structural joint, as opposed to leaving parts glued or propped together. It makes people wonder how it was put together.
John Glendinning is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1990
Where
John Glendinning
