John Cross's Wood Sculptures Reveal Tree Anatomy Through Meticulous Craftsmanship

John Cross's 2005 exhibition at John Davis Gallery in New York featured sculptures made from white pine that transform natural wood into abstract forms. Works like "Twist" (2004), "Squeeze" (2005), and "Skirt" (2001) were stained with diluted white latex paint, creating translucent surfaces that reveal the wood grain beneath. Cross carves linear patterns into the wood to emphasize its natural flow, creating concave and convex strips. The sculptures are supported by thin rods that suggest classical references while maintaining abstract qualities. In "Crossing" (2001), Cross hollowed out a curved branch and reassembled it into an X-shape that rests directly on the floor. "Dissected Burl" (2004) arranges four thin slices of a tree trunk with a burl in compass-point formation, held together by planed 2x4s in lattice work. "Hogan" (2004) uses four thin sections of a curved trunk to suggest a Navajo dwelling, with horizontal supports creating protective symbolism. Cross's process makes visible the normally hidden interior structures of trees, transforming them into sculptural forms that balance human modification with natural imperfections. The artist lives on a farm and approaches wood with empathy, equating tree interiors with personal psychological spaces.