Taper: The Perfect Bowl
2013 - Studio Works
Material
Curly walnut — single block
Hand-carved • Continuous form • No lamination
Wall thickness transitions from approx. 15 mm at base to ~2 mm at rim
Context
Taper is carved from a single block of figured walnut, shaped as a continuous, unbroken form. The geometry is governed by proportional systems: the two primary loops relate to one another through the golden ratio, while the surface transitions are guided by uninterrupted slope continuity.
The outer loop rises and falls in a continuous arc, beginning at the highest point of the form and descending in a controlled gradient into the body of the bowl. The internal surfaces mirror this proportional logic, creating a unified visual and tactile flow.
The form is not assembled, segmented, or laminated — it is a fully subtractive sculptural object, revealing both the inherent grain character of the walnut and the intentional geometry of the carve.
Intent
The intent behind Taper was to create a form defined entirely by proportion, flow, and restraint. Rather than building complexity through ornamentation or layering, the piece seeks refinement through continuous reduction and geometric discipline.
By working within a single mass of material, the piece explores how minimal interventions — guided by proportion and controlled transitions — can generate a complex and visually compelling object.
The piece investigates balance between mass and void, the relationship between negative and positive space, and the quiet tension created when material is reduced to the limits of structural integrity. The taper from a substantial base to a near-knife-edge rim was not simply aesthetic — it was a deliberate test of both material limits and carving control.
The result is an object that functions as both vessel and sculpture, inviting handling while maintaining a strong architectural presence.
