visual arts Artist Profile - Rodger Foden When you meet talented Norfolk woodturner Rodger Foden one thing is strikingly clear - he loves wood! ‘I’ve always loved whittling and carving,’ says Rodger. ‘Wood really is an amazing and beautiful thing that never stops moving.’ But Rodger hasn’t always been a woodturner. In his twenties he worked in farming until losing his arm in an accident. ‘I’m right-handed so I had to learn how to do everything all over again,’ says Rodger. ‘As part of my rehabilitation at Addenbrookes I went into a workshop and worked with wood. I made a box which I still have today.’ After Rodger’s accident he retrained as a gamekeeper but still maintained his love for wood. Working in Buckinghamshire - with access to a large workshop - he was able to use his skills to make walking sticks and shelves. One day in 1995, he discovered a woman in the village was selling her husband’s old lathe. ‘It was a rusty old thing but I decided I’d like to have a go at woodturning so I bought it,’ says Rodger. From then on, Rodger discovered a passion and flair for woodturning which led his career down an entirely different path. Over the years his commissions have been varied ranging from furniture restoration to one off artistic pieces. ‘I’m happiest when I’m in my workshop creating something unique,’ says Rodger. ‘I love the process of having an idea, researching into how it might work and then creating something out of a simple piece of wood.’ As can be seen on his website, Rodger makes a wide range of items including egg-shaped jewellery boxes, matching candlesticks, chairs, bowls, platters, clocks and even kaleidoscopes. He has won many competitions with his work and prides himself on knowing exactly where each piece of wood he uses has come from. Sometimes I have a piece of wood in my workshop for years before I decide what to make with it,’ says Rodger. Rodger works with many different types of wood but his favourite is yew. Two years ago Rodger’s wife Ann passed away suddenly. ‘I decide to make an urn out of yew to hold Ann’s ashes,’ says Rodger. ‘To me an urn is a very special thing and I wanted it to be personal to Ann.’ Since then, Rodger has started making urns for other people who have lost loved ones or cherished pets. ‘I can make an urn in any shape or size the customer requires,’ says Rodger. ‘People are more than welcome to call or come round to discuss what they would like.’ As well as urns, Rodger welcomes commissions and restoration work. He also offers personal one-to-one tuition in the art of woodturning from his well-equipped workshop in Wacton, South Norfolk. ‘I’m happy to provide tuition from a simple introduction to the craft for the complete novice to much more detailed and refined turning for the more experienced individual,’ says Rodger. Rodger is also available for woodturning demonstrations at local clubs, societies and events. ‘A lot of time and love goes into each item I make and I wouldn’t want it any other way,’ says Rodger. ‘I’m always thinking of beautiful new things to create and I love a challenge.’ www.rodgerfoden.com email: rodgerfoden@live.co.uk, Tel: 01508 532621
11