The art of Oliver Chalk through texture, nature, and craft
Oliver Chalk, an artist driven by a deep love for texture and process, embarked on his artistic journey at a young age. Leaving school at sixteen to pursue an art and design course, he discovered a powerful medium for self-expression. This experience ignited a passion for exploring materials and processes, an ethos that now defines his entire approach to making.
As a former textile artist, Chalk already had an affinity for negative space and texture, but the COVID-19 pandemic became a pivotal period for his work, allowing him the solitude to realign his artistic focus. With this shift came a newfound dedication to sustainability and natural materials, guiding him to incorporate resources from his immediate environment. Ultimately, this journey led him to wood as his primary medium, marking a transformation in both his craft and his perspective on art.
Oliver Chalk’s creative process is both a refuge and a discipline, allowing him to embrace stillness and engage deeply with the present. In his silent workshop, Chalk cultivates a unique environment of introspection and focus, finding immense satisfaction in the act of crafting something from raw materials. This connection to nature and solitude reflects his philosophy that the making process is as transformative as the artwork itself.
He sees each piece as a testament to time spent challenging his own limitations and redefining his understanding of self. For Chalk, the work is not about showcasing what he can do but about what he has yet to master, continuously pushing his boundaries. His artistic journey, filled with lessons and setbacks, mirrors his belief that personal growth and creativity are intertwined, and each work becomes a marker of his life’s deeper purpose.
Oliver Chalk’s approach to sourcing materials is rooted in sustainability and respect for nature. Every material he uses is locally sourced, specifically chosen from native or naturalized species. He uses only wood that has been felled due to disease or storm damage, avoiding the unnecessary removal of healthy resources from the landscape. Ash is a material particularly close to his heart, given its scarcity due to ash dieback disease.
Chalk recognizes that, within his lifetime, ash may disappear from local forests and landscapes, heightening the reverence with which he approaches his craft. Each material is carefully chosen and oriented, starting a dialogue between artist and wood. Chalk is drawn to green wood and organic shapes, often embracing spherical forms that honor the natural tendencies of the material. He allows the wood’s innate characteristics to inform the piece, preferring an intuitive approach over predetermined outcomes.
Oliver Chalk’s pieces emphasize the sensory experience of touch, connecting his craft to a broader artistic expression. This physicality is essential to how people perceive and interact with their environment, and it lies at the heart of Chalk’s work. Through embossed textures, grooves, and recesses, he seeks to evoke the sense of touch, bridging the worlds of fine art and craftsmanship.
Rather than imposing strict deadlines, Chalk’s process remains fluid, driven by the goal of achieving a purity and integrity in each piece that can be felt as much as seen. His art becomes an expression of patience, intention, and connection, embodying his vision of balance between process and product. With every creation, Chalk leaves a legacy of thoughtful, grounded artistry, each piece a reflection of his unwavering respect for both the material and the craft itself.
All images courtesy of Oliver Chalk, shared with permission
