Rusted Vessel
2019
Dimensions 26 W x 20 H
Signed and dated
This Rusted Vessel has been made from Sussex Oak tree that fell in high winds. The midnight blue / black patina has been caused by a natural process of oxidization that has taken place of the course of approximately one century.
Around one hundred years ago somebody hit some wrought iron nails into an oak tree in the Sussex countryside, perhaps pining a sign to the tree or securing a fence. Over the course of the next century the nails became embedded deep within the oak tree as it grew over them and they started to rust. This process of oxidization within the tree reacts with the naturally occurring acids in oak and begins to chemically turn the wood from warm brown tones into deep midnight blues and blacks. As the seasons ebb and flow so do the sap levels within the tree, which in turn pulls and pushed the staining deeper into the oak.
Mills acquired a piece of this oak which was condemned to fired wood and began by extracting the metal inside, evident by faint blue staining on the surface of the wood. He didn’t know if or indeed what he would find. Using and blunting a chainsaw, gouges and chisels he slowly extracted four wrought iron nails that had caused the patina. Mills had the age of the nails verified by a blacksmith at around the turn of the 19th century due to the material and the hand forged marks evident on the surface.
After extracting the metal Mills began slowly turning a collection of vessels on a traditional woodworking lathe.
This Rusted Vessel features heavy grain patterns, warm oak tones and deep blues and blacks. The work also features a number of natural cracks that opened in the wood prior to in being mounted on the lathe. There is also a large feature knot on the underside of the vessel. The natural distortion that takes place as the piece is dried has created an organic form with a flowing rim.
