Biography
Eleanor Lakelin (b.1960, Llandrindod Wells, Wales) lives and works in London. Brought up in a rural village in Wales, Lakelin worked on educational projects in Europe and West Africa before retraining as a cabinet-maker in 1995. Since 2011 she has concentrated on the vessel form, studying with established makers whenever possible but largely teaching herself to hollow and carve works of increasing scale and ambition. Her sculptural objects are created using a traditional woodworking lathe and centuries-old chisels and gouges alongside modern carving techniques. Eleanor works only with trees grown in Britain, felled due to decay. A deep knowledge and a passionate interest in the natural properties of wood result in forms that seem true to the spirit of the material and which encourage us to look at the complexities of nature with a new perspective. Her work is rooted in the rhythm of growth, the eroding power of the elements and the passing of time. Material is transformed into objects that invite touch and reflection, reminding us of our elemental and emotional bond with wood and our relationship to the earth. She is widely exhibited and was awarded the British Wood Awards in 2017. Recent exhibitions include, Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London, (2020) 1831 Gallery, Paris (2020); and Arthus Gallery, Brussels (2020).
