Art Nouveau vase

I began working with wood in my early teens in my father’s workshop at our family home. Wood turning was a later development as I initially started out in wood carving, specializing in the Polynesian style of carving. Moving onto turning and combining the two was a natural progression for me and this continued into my early 20’s At this point I ventured overseas and travel extensively for a period of ten years or so, working within the mining industry in both construction and maintenance. Although much of it was spent in South East Asia it also encompassed North America, Africa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Island and many other islands within the South Pacific region. Many of these, if not most are rich in local crafts and I took every opportunity to observe the various styles of carving and wood turning where ever I went, also collecting small examples along the way. I married my engineering background to wood turning; designing and building my own lathes and turning tools. Also bringing together the various elements, styles of turning and carving I had observed on my travels. I prefer to work with native Australian timbers specializing in desert hardwoods. The hardwoods turn and carve well, leaving a fine lustrous finish, many of these hardwoods whilst common in the desert areas, not so in the turned art world. But truth be known I will work with just about any type of timber or species.

- Hughie Mackay