13. Will Pratt Sculptural Woodturning
William Pratt born and raised in Zimbabwe was apprenticed as a cabinet maker in fine furniture, he moved to NZ in 1989.
Will has always been passionate about woodturning and now prefers to work only with wet wood, specifically English Oak in NZ.
Trees that have fallen in storms, or been cut down for land development, many over 100 years old and are an important part of the history of Auckland.
Using only chainsaws, a lathe and a handful of chisels and tools William skilfully turns large raw pieces into refined vessels. The pieces are then put aside to dry, this is the time they release the stresses and tension of a century of growth resulting in unexpected movement and distortions, that's the magic that Will waits for as the tree decides it final form. He then adds texture through a range of processes and finishes, and the final result are pieces that are both beautifully tactile and leathery to the touch, this defies all logic of where they began.
Williams studio will showcase the transition between the unprocessed Oak, a vessel in progress & a selection of completed works for the Open studio Kaipatiki weekend.
Artist Info
Dates
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 November 2025
Address
19 Verran Road, Birkenhead
Parking
Street Parking Available.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair Accessible.
Contact Details
williambo.wr@gmail.com
Socials
Instagram
Video by Conan Ftizpatrick
