Adam Cornish

I specialize in turning contemporary forms from highly figured native timber which incorporate mixed media.

My signature work involves re-crafting etched metal from decommissioned rifles and blending them with the wooden form to create handled vessels. These simple forms are finished exquisitely and I aspire to bring the concept of ‘Wabi-Sabi’ to each - embracing the imperfections in the timber to enhance the piece. These features can be caused by erosion, exposure, fungi, insect attack, lightening, rot or die back to name but a few.

Forget the perfect wave – I eternally search for ‘That special piece of wood’ and every time I find it I get the joy of discovering what is hidden beneath. So much energy is invested in locating the wood, selecting the right gun metal and then crafting them into a cohesive piece that a unique story is created – this is passed on to the client. 

I combine cutting edge and historic techniques; a modern lathe is central to my work but I often fall back on one grandfather’s woodworking hand tools or the other’s anvil. I am lucky to be a third generation woodworker and utilise the knowledge they passed on every day. My work continues to evolve and now includes gilding, acrylic paint and pyrography – But at its heart it will always contain simple sculptural forms, which are well finished and embrace the natural beauty of the wood.

** Proceeds from sales of Adam's work fund his son cyclist Ben Cornish’s journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ben is 16 and on the GB Cycling Team but doesn’t receive funding until he’s 18yrs. In 2023 Ben had two international wins, five podiums and was 5th in the UCI World Championships. He also became the u19 National Champion - his 3rd consecutive national title.