§ David Nash O.B.E. R.A. (British 1945-) Birch Bowl, 1993 signed and dated 'David Nash / Otoineppu 93', birch (122cm high (48in high)) Footnote: Provenance: Annely Juda Fine Art, London; Christie's, London, 16 December 2009, lot 163; Private Collection, UK. Exhibited: Hokkaido, Asahikawa Museum of Art, David Nash , June - July 1994: this exhibition travelled to Nagoya City Art Museum, July - September 1994; Ashiya City Museum of Art and History, November - January 1995; Saitama, The Museum of Modern Art, April - May 1995; Kamakura, The Museum of Modern Art, May - June 1995; and Ibaraki, Tsukuba Museum of Art, June - July 1995. Literature: David Nash, David Nash Otoineppu , Spirit of Three Seasons, Sapporo, 1994, p. 80 (illustrated); Norbert Lynton (ed.), David Nash , Thames & Hudson, London, 2007, p.104 (illustrated). Birch Bowl was created by David Nash when he was in Otoineppu, Hokkaido, Japan in 1993. He made several works in Otoineppu and the theme of the six exhibitions there was ’Spirit of Three Seasons’. In his own words the artist describes the special nature of the Otoineppu village as a place 'where the crafts and arts are very much alive’. ‘The village is alive with the art of growing and carving wood...All these factors...created a very special environment in which we could realise this project through the seasons of Spring, Summer and Winter 1993-94.' (See D.Nash, David Nash Otoineppu Spirit of Three Seasons , Sapporo, 1994). In conversation with the art critic Richard Cork in 2010, he asked Nash what he hoped to achieve with his work: ‘It’s got to be accessible and welcome visitor’s into it. I start with people’s familiarity with wood, through doors, floors, tables and domestic items. Most people are aware of how trees change during the seasons. The material is embedded into our daily lives. Then I enter into the deep history of trees and their culture. But I try to touch the wood as little as possible. I’m not interested in over-carving, polishing and craft. I don’t mind splinters, and I want it to crack. Trees stand for me as a threshold into the huge world of the environment.’ (Royal Academy Magazine, Summer 2010)