We are delighted to celebrate Richard West’s unique wooden sculptures in an exhibition titled First Light at The Leitrim Design House from July 17th. Richard is an award-winning wood-turner in Connemara. He works predominantly with found wood, creating one off sculptural forms and vessels that are suggested by the wood. He looks for the elements in each piece of wood that can be highlighted and enhanced. The imperfect warped and rotten wood still holds value for the artist, once he finds the right-angle context from which to view it. Richard turns nearly all of the wood green or unseasoned. This means after he has finished, the drying wood will warp and deform to find its own shape, it gets to have its say. He uses a lot of colour in my work, sometimes dying or scorching the wood and applying different metal leaves to the inside. This enables the concave form to reflect light back on itself, making the piece look like it's glowing.
As part of August Craft Month, Richard will give a talk on his work in The Leitrim Design House on Saturday August 1st at 12pm. A video created in his Studio West workshop will also be on view. Drop by, meet the artist and learn more about his materials and processes.
Winner of The Leitrim Design House National Design, Craft & Art Award in 2025, the five independant judges recognised the excellence in design and artisanship in Richards work. These awards have provided a vital platform for Richard and other makers from all over Ireland. The event was made possible with the generous support of Local Enterprise Office Leitrim and Design & Craft Council Ireland. Richard West was awarded first prize of €2,500 and a solo exhibition, for his work titled 'Abyss'. A natural edge form turned out of scorched ash, with an interior gilded copper leaf. The artist describes his winning work:
This piece was born from the destruction of storm Eowyn from a beautiful ash tree growing halfway up a hill on the shore of Lough Fee. The lough is surrounded by steep mountains all around, but a magical light reflects off the water's surface in the evening and colours the valley with an orange glow that silhouettes the rough edges of the mountains. When the tree was knocked by the storm, the landowner wanted the wood to be used for something more than firewood. I turned this piece on my lathe, orientating it so that the winding natural edge of the log could be seen to the greatest effect. Once hollowed, I scorched the surface to accentuate the rings of timber, making it easier to see the thin ridges of the harder years and the broader ones of the years of plenty. I gave the piece a small foot to emphasise the width of the winding rim, almost like a flower. I gilded the inside with copper leaf so it would glow like the setting sun.
Explore Richards stunning new collection and share it with friends and family until August 15th 2026. The unique and everlasting nature of each piece makes it a perfect gift which will last generations. If you wish to support Irish artists by investing in Irish art we welcome deposits, which may be paid off over a number of weeks. Gift vouchers are another wonderful way to support your loved one in building their own personal art collection.
