David Nash, R.A. (b. 1945)

The three watercolours in this lot document Nash's project to make an exhibition in the refectory space at Tournus Abbey, Burgundy in 1988. Two trees were sourced from the village of Pierre de Bresse, an oak tree (Chêne) and an Ash Tree (Frêne). The central watercolour depicts the sculptures made from these trees. Nash comments: 'I imagined the monks eating in the refectory - wooden tables, wooden bowls, spoons. The project began with all these impressions ... what was made came from the shapes and volumes of the two trees - I was also interested in the contrast between the two different woods, oak and ash' (N. Lynton, David Nash, London, 2007, p. 94.).