Alf Sharp
Bio
Born and raised in Nashville, I went to MBA and Vanderbilt University. After an abortive episode in law school, I discovered the art of woodworking. Now retired from a 50 year career making museum quality furniture, I spend happy hours turning objects on the wood lathe. My aesthetic features the beautiful natural grain of the wood and mostly classical forms.
Describe your craft.
Lathe turned wooden objects, bowls, lidded containers, and artistic vessels. I emphasize the beautiful natural grain of extraordinary pieces of wood and mostly classical forms. Some of my pieces incorporate semi-precious minerals.
What drives you to make your art/craft?
The pleasure of carefully working with wood is indescribable. Seeing a rough board slowly become a lovely , highly crafted object is very rewarding. I can get so involved i my work that time dissolves away and hours later a beautiful object sits on the bench. One of the appeals of woodturning is that, after taking months to create a piece of furniture, turning provides relatively instant gratification.
Who or what are your greatest influences?
My influences include John Jordan, Rude Osolnic, David Ellsworth, Samuel Allito, Cindy Drozda, etc, etc.
How does living in Tennessee influence and inspire your art?
We live in one of the world's great hardwood forests, source of so much natural inspiration. The beautiful surroundings and the four distinct seasons never cease to thrill.
Beyond your art/craft, what are your other interests?
Watercolors, restoring vintage British cars, family, spiritual congregation
Shows & Recogition
“Best of Tennessee, 2002” : Tenn Artist Craftsman Assoc., Chattanooga Tn.
WilsonArt Exhibition 2003 : Philadelphia ,Pa.
“Art of Tennessee” 2003 : Tenn. State Museum
Oaklands Mansion, Carnton House, and other fine public and private homes and offices from New York to California.
Fellow – 2004 FAIC/WAG study trip to France
Exhibiter – “Curvitures” sponsored by the Furniture Society, 2004 – 2005;
The Parthenon, Nashville, 2004;
Master Woodworkers Show, Knoxville, Tn., 1998 – 2011President – Cumberland Furniture Guild, 2002 –
Board of directors – Cannon County Art Center
Exhibiter – Contemporary Classics – Selections from the Society for American Period Furniture, Savannah, Ga. – 2006
Board of Trust – The Furniture Society , 2006 –
Instructor – O’more College of Art and Design
Board of Directors – Tennessee Association of Craft Artists
Cartouche Award 2008 from the Society of Period Furnituremakers
Studio Furniture – Today ‘ Leading Woodworkers
Cover article, Woodshop News, Nov. 2006
Cover article, American Period Furniture, 2008
Cartouche Award from the Society of American Period Furnituremakers, 2008
Board of Trust, Furniture Society, 2006 – President, 2011-2012
Presenter – Winterthur Antiques Forum 2012
Presenter – SAPFM summer ’12 conference Museum of Southern Decorative Arts.
Exhibitor – A Tradition of Craft, Connecticut Historical Society 2012
Fellow – AFTAB collaboration, Aiguines, France
