'Two column jump' by David Nash

David Nash, one of Britain's best known sculptors and a lifelong researcher into the language of wood, has produced the striking Two Column Jump.

David Nash's artistic life has been devoted to working with wood in all forms, as well as studying the scientific preservation of it. To this end, much of Mr Nash's work has been charred to aid preservation, and this process, carried out in his North Wales studio at Blaenau Ffestiniog, has been used on the Two Column Jump.

The striking 'Two column jump' by David Nash

"I knew the jump had to fulfil specific practical conditions, as well as be a genuine example of my sculptural aesthetic," explained David Nash. "It had to be a barrier of a certain height and width, clearly visible to horse and rider and confirming to the measurements required by the sport. Charring the wood makes the form clearer and increases the contrast of object and space. I noticed that at events, potted trees are placed at each end of the jumps, so I made the columns to serve that purpose and to bring a festive feel to the sculpture."

David Nash has 35 years' experience of working with wood in all its forms, with different tools and processes, from hedge-laying to pruning, as well as research into scientifically preserving wood. In the late 1970s he planted a circle of ash trees which have been grafted into a magic circle of writhing trunks and branches at his home in Wales; he has had many international exhibitions, and has created site-specific sculptures in Japan, Australia, Finland, France and the USA.

The sculptures in the series are:
'Lovers seat' by Alison Crowther | 'The two Graces' by Allen Jones | 'Pegasus' by Tim Harrisson | 'Two column jump' by David Nash | 'Epona's Leap' by Nigel Ross