The call of the wild

Natasha Wightman is a multidisciplinary British artist creating jewellery, sculpture, films, sound installations and stories that speak to the wild inside us. Her early training as a ballet dancer instilled in her a deep sensitivity to precision and artistic expression, qualities that continue to inform her creative practice today. Her pieces celebrate the rare skills and time-honoured techniques that underpin British cultural heritage. The results are intricate artworks crafted using ancient techniques and heritage materials with a sense of wildness at their heart. As she explores Britain’s fragile landscapes and ecosystems in jewellery featuring ravens and via ancient bog oak sculptures, Natasha celebrates their resilience and vulnerability and reminds us how much they need protection.

Influenced by Japanese netsuke, this piece, presented for Homo Faber 2026, is an anatomically accurate raven carved to fit in the palm of the hand. Ever since Natasha had the privilege of rewilding two ravens, the bird has held a place in her heart. They became the central inspiration for her Ravens series, with their wildness finding its way into each piece. In keeping with Natasha’s fascination for ancient materials, the native boxwood used for this piece was coppiced 20 years ago from a British moorland. The exceptionally fine grain of the wood makes it ideal for the intricate detail the work demanded.