Alexis Williams is an artist working with timber. His practice is spontaneous, intuitive, and conceptual, balancing function and form through experimentation. In the sculpting process, he is driven by the inherent character of timber and fascinated by the elemental exchange with open flame.
Graduating from RMIT in 2018 with an associates degree in design, Furniture Major. Lex now calls the Northern Rivers home where he works from his studio in Skinners Shoot. Poho’s Director, Ed, was first introduced to his work on a family trip to Byron Bay in 2019 where he subsequently acquired one of Lex’s quintessential pieces, his bench seat. The two stayed in contact from that moment which is why bringing his work to our community is all the more special. We are certain you will have an affinity for his work just as we do.
We took a moment to chat to Lex about his work which you can read below.
What drew you initially to working with timber?
I remember seeing some of George Nakishima's work while at University, While viewing his work I got a strong feeling, that timber was the right material for me to pursue and focus upon.
When starting a project are you informed by the specific piece of wood or lead by the design?
Sometimes it's a bit of both. The way the timber feels while sculpting has a lot of influence over me and the finished piece.
Where do you source timber you work with from?
The timber i work with comes from local and international suppliers. I love working with different species, from all over the world.
Are there a specific species that you feel resonates with you most?
Australian silky oak and American oak are my favorites to work with at the moment. It feels good to hone in on the characteristics of species. Over time I get to understand subtle ways of approaching the material with more foresight
How did your exploration into charring the pieces come about?
I was watching The Keep by Michael Mann and I really liked the way it was shot, the lighting, the gothic/brutalist architecture, and the confusing storyline. I wanted to make that same feeling in some pieces. Now it's become something I'm fascinated with on its own accord.
Form or function?
I have arrived at a point in thinking: A form can make an emotional response, and that can be the primary function of an object.
What drives you to continue working ?
I want to continue explore facets of material. It excites me to be making objects that challenge and intuitively feeling right.
Lex's work is currently available in our flagship Double Bay store. We look forward to working with him now and into the future.