Artists

David Nash OBE RA is a British sculptor and land artist internationally recognized for his lifelong engagement with wood, trees, and the natural environment. Since the late 1960s, Nash has lived and worked in the rugged landscape of North Wales, creating works that merge formal sculptural concerns with ecological awareness and collaboration with natural processes. His practice encompasses carved and charred wooden sculptures, living land art, and drawings, films, and pastels that document and extend his dialogue with nature.

Among his most iconic works is Ash Dome (begun 1977), a circle of ash trees trained to grow into a domed form over decades. He is also known for transforming fallen trees into monumental forms through cutting, sawing, and burning, revealing the material’s structure while embracing its natural energy and imperfections. The process, often involving chain saws, axes, and fire, reflects his belief in a partnership between artist, material, and place.

Nash studied at Kingston College of Art (1963–67) and Chelsea School of Art (1969–70). He was elected a Royal Academician in 1999 and was artist in residence at Kew Gardens in 2012. His work has been featured in major exhibitions at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Kew Gardens, Frederik Meijer Gardens (Michigan), and National Museum Cardiff. His sculptures are represented in over 80 public collections worldwide, including Tate (London), Victoria & Albert Museum (London), Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Guggenheim Museum (New York), de Young Museum (San Francisco), Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo), Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Uffizi Gallery (Florence).