David Nash b. 1945

David Nash (b. 1945) is a British sculptor and artist best known for his work with wood, creating large-scale sculptures that interact with the natural world. While his three-dimensional works have defined his career, his drawings play a crucial role in his artistic process, serving as both preparatory studies and standalone explorations of form, texture, and movement.

Nash’s drawings, often created using charcoal, pastel, and natural pigments, reflect his deep engagement with the landscape and the organic materials he works with. His bold, gestural marks capture the energy of trees, branches, and elemental forces, mirroring the sculptural qualities of his wooden works. Many of his drawings depict trees at different stages of growth and decay, emphasizing cycles of life and transformation—key themes in his art.

In addition to traditional works on paper, Nash has used fire and scorched wood to create drawings, further blurring the boundary between medium and subject. His use of charred materials reflects the same processes of burning and carving that he applies to his sculptures, reinforcing his philosophy of working in harmony with nature.

Through his drawings, Nash distills the essence of the natural world into expressive, dynamic compositions. Whether as preparatory sketches or finished artworks, they offer an intimate insight into his creative process and his lifelong dialogue with trees and the landscape.