Anne Shutan

I have an intimate relationship with wood. Each piece has its own secret.

Discovering sensation in wood requires a lot of faith and patience. Laughter, pain, wonder, and sensuality, all deserve to be touched. My work allows a visual and tactile connection with these primal emotions. I have to listen to help it come out. Putting my sawblades into giant wood beams, sculpting rough edges into undulating curves, or turning straight wood into beckoning twists and cubes is all about listening/trusting that the soul of the wood will reveal itself. But as I create, surprises happen. And, very often, accidents are more interesting than the original idea. Perhaps the accidents are the secret.

“Warm wood sculptures are a pleasant relief from the frantic qualities of today's world. I invite you to touch them as they touch you."