“I pillage Nature unabashedly for her shapes and design cues”
– Cy Hutchinson
My goal is to produce original work that is true to me and also to constantly challenge myself as my designs continue to evolve.
A Collection of Pointless Objects
Protection Series 16
Fluted and Ebonized Barbadian Mahogany with Mascassar Ebony points
Protection Series 15
Poplar with African Blackwood points
Protection Series 14 S
English rippled Sycamore panels with Wenge center and Gabon Ebony points
Protection Series 13 S
Bookmatched Olive wood panels with Gliricidia center and beach harvested Gorgonia points
Protection Series 12
Reclaimed Greenheart with carbon fiber and solid 18k gold details
Protection Series 11
Reclaimed Greenheart pierced texture with sinew binding
Protection Series 10
Rosewood freeform
Protection Series 9
Bajan Ebony with hand shaped bronze points. From the private collection of Mr Jeremy Gunn
Not for sale
Protection Series 8
Hand carved and sculpted, in mixed media.
Maximum of 9 casts to be made from this original on a commission basis
Protection Series 7
Poplar freeform with aged bronze finish
Protection Series 6
Ebonized Barbadian Mahogany with Anodyne center and points
Protection Series 3
Purpleheart Flaked stone texture
Protection Series 2
Barbadian Mahogany Flaked stone textured disc
Protection Series 1
Barbadian Mahogany Flaked stone texture, Personal collection of the artist
Not for sale
Weed Seed
Weed Seed was part of the National Cultural Foundation’s exhibition “Our Land” in 2022. It was purchased by the National Cultural Foundation and is now part of their permanent collection.
Material: Barbados mahogany (Sweitenia mahagoni)
Dimensions: 25″ length
Weed Seed is part of a series based on the premise that ARTISTS ARE WEEDS, we are the unwanted, the misunderstood; rejected and discarded like weeds, yet if given a chance, like weeds we produce the most beautiful blooms and create wild beauty. I use carefully selected pieces of wood chosen for intense grain patterns or other special attributes which I spend much time orienting to best balance the grain to the shape and proportions. I then decide on detailing to add layers and complexities that define or highlight certain areas after which I finish the work to a level that suits the individual piece and mount it on to its base.
Deep Sea Creature 9
Deep Sea Creature 9 continues the series inspired by shapes, forms and creatures found in our oceans. This particular work is based on jellyfish.
Materials: Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)Dimensions: 10” height
Mahogany Sphere
Solid Barbadian Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) sphere with textured and ebonized bands, stand sculpted with leather lined cradle for sphere.
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Sweitenia mahagoni)Dimensions: Sphere – 7 inches diameter, stand 11 inches length
Textured ebonized vessel
An exploration in texture.
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)Dimensions: 20cm/8 inches high
Primitive modern 6
This is the latest work in my Primitive Modern line where I pay the utmost respect to the so called ‘primitive’ craftsmen who came before us.
My aim is to create objects from ancient times using modern or space age materials from the time we live in now.
This spear was designed after much research into traditional African tribal spears. These objects constantly amaze and bewilder me with their design complexity and quality of making, especially considering the limited tools available to these amazing craftsmen.
One of the biggest benefits in doing this series and in particular this object is that in trying to capture the essence and feel of the original works of art, I have had to add an organic element into my design and especially the making of my work.
I have learnt that the overall aesthetic is greatly improved by embracing and working with – accepting and balancing slight irregularities that will happen in the making process.
All elements of this spear I hand crafted myself from raw materials – Cordia wood, stainless steel plate and rod, carbon fiber tow (yarn), nylon cord and epoxy.
Awarded The Governor’s Award Crop Over Visual Arts Festival 2019. This piece is now a part of The National Collection of Barbados.
Materials: Cordia wood (Cordia sebestena), stainless steel and carbon fiber.Dimensions: 193 cm or 76 inches.
trying to find…
This work titled ‘trying to find…’ received the 2019 Central Bank Award of Excellence and has become part of the National Collection of Barbados and is displayed in the Central Bank of Barbados.
Piece done to address and work through personal challenges.
Materials: Barbados Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), Saman/Monkeypod wood (Samanea saman), bronzeDimensions: 220cm or 86 inches.
Norfolk Island Pine Vessel
This 14” tall Norfolk Island Pine vessel has for me a good balance of spalted and clean wood.The blank for this piece was carefully left to spalt which caused the black streaking, then first turned while still quite wet.
After being left to dry it was then re-turned and finished.
This piece also displays beautiful chatoyance.
Materials: Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)Dimensions: 14” height
Pod 3 – Hidden agendas
Pod 3 shown closed and opened to reveal the strong red inside finish. Textured and ebonized mahogany with textured stainless steel ends.
Materials: Barbados Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), stainless steelDimensions: Approximately 34” length
Deep Sea Creature 4
Approximately 1400 copper nails were glued into the interior of this mahogany form depicting a fearsome creature from the dark depths of the ocean.
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), copper nails and carbon fiber.Dimensions:
Mango wood hollow form
Commissioned piece made from a mango tree that the client’s grandparents planted. Textured and ebonized mango body with figured natural mango rim.
Materials: Mango wood (Mangifpra indica)Dimensions: 9” diameter.
Separated
Stylized bird foot carved from Barbados mahogany and then ebonized. Really enjoyed doing this piece which is titled Separated.
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)Dimensions: Base: 30” by 15”
Spitting image
Great pains were taken to match, as closely as possible, the grain, shape and detailing of this pair of enclosed forms in Barbadian Mahogany.
Materials: Barbados Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni).Dimensions: Larger form is 9.5” diameter by 6” height.
Primitive Modern 5 – The Spoils
The fifth work in my Primitive Modern series where I strive to use modern materials and methods to create object from a primitive time.
The Spoils – Returning home from a successful hunt, the ceremonial vessel is called for into which some of the spoils are placed to thank the Gods.
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), stainless steel, carbon fiber, spectra/dyneema cordDimensions: Approx. 14″ height
Careened II
careen/kuh-reen/ verb (of a ship) tilt to one sideModelled from the hull shape below the waterline of a ship from the late 1700s. Careened II is made from a beautiful piece of Casuarina with bronze nails from the same era representing her keel. Inspired by the once common sight in Bridgetown of boats tilted on their side for repair and maintenance below their waterline.This wooden hand-carved hull showcases the shape below the waterline with centuries old bronze nails representing her keel. She lies dutifully on her side echoing countless ancestors who came to our Careenage.This piece was awarded the Governor General’s Award of Excellence at NIFCA 2013.
Materials: Casuarina wood (Casuarina equisetfolia), bronze nailsDimensions: 17 inches length
Careened
These works are done to remember the once common practice of tilting a boat on its side to allow for repairs and maintenance work to be carried out below the waterline. The keels are represented by centuries old bronze ship building nails which were personally found and recovered whilst freediving – one of my passions!
Materials: Cordia wood (Cordia sebestena), bronze nailsDimensions: Approx. 7 inches
Cordia with Shipwreck Nails
This work was hand carved by eye out of Cordia wood. Inspired by the beautiful shapes of ancient Egyptian and Viking ships.Bronze shipwreck nails circa 1800 line the rim like oars and their corroded texture helps take the piece back in time.
Materials: Cordia wood (Cordia sebestena), salvaged shipwreck bronze nailsDimensions: 30” length
Deep Sea Creature – Jelly 3
Materials: Barbados mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), stainless steelDimensions: 5.5” diameter.
Cobbler
Cobbler (Barbadian slang for a black sea urchin). Around 130 spines were individually turned, textured and then fitted to the central egg.
This piece was awarded the Governor General’s Award of Excellence at NIFCA 2011.
Materials: Bajan Ebony (Albizia lebbeck)Dimensions: 30” diameter
© Cy Hutchinson Art 2021 | Site Design: Nicole Moody Designs