Art Liestman is a wood artist living in Coquitlam, B.C. Formally trained as a scientist, he has studied with many woodturners from Canada, the US, the UK, and New Zealand.
Art’s work begins with a turned form such as a bowl or vase or a hollow cylinder. The resulting object is modified by carving, pyrography, and/or coloring.
Art is known for his puzzling illusion series in which the incised outlines of jigsaw puzzle pieces break up the object’s surface. Holes in the object and scattered loose pieces lying give the illusion that it is being assembled or disassembled.
Some of Art’s work is colored with layers of thin acrylic inks and alcohol-based dyes producing rich dark transparent finishes that enhance the figure of the underlying wood. A series of delicate, thin-walled bowls features pierced figures of “dancing men”. These figures are, in fact, English phrases written in a code from a Sherlock Holmes story.
Art’s two newest series venture into a more sculptural direction, both suggesting human figures; one uses individual standing puzzle pieces while the other uses more abstract forms. His work is available through various galleries including del Mano Gallery in Los Angeles, California, the American Art Company in Tacoma, Washington and TU Gallery, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Art is in demand as a demonstrator of woodturning and surface enhancements and has demonstrated at many clubs and symposia in Canada and the US. He has written articles for several publications including American Woodturner, Canadian Woodworking, and More Woodturning.
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Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art 39 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street 843-723-0303
