Will Goodman
Artwork for Will Goodman
Details
How would you describe the work you do and why?
My work explores the relationship between natural timber and man-made materials. I work primarily with English Yew and English Oak, combining them with cast resin to highlight contrast; organic edge against precision, growth rings against glass-like surfaces. Each piece begins with the inherent character of the timber. Rather than imposing a fixed design, I respond to voids, grain movement, splits and imperfections, often using resin to preserve or emphasise these natural features. The finished works are both functional and contemplative, they are tables, but they are also studies in texture, light, and material tension. I am interested in longevity, both materially and emotionally. Furniture occupies intimate domestic space; it becomes part of daily ritual. I want my pieces to feel grounded, timeless and deeply connected to place.
For you what does being an artist mean?:
For me, being an artist means working with intention rather than simply production. It means making decisions that prioritise integrity of material, composition, and meaning over convenience. As a maker working in a functional medium, I see no division between art and utility. A table can be sculptural. A surface can tell a story. Being an artist is about attention; to form, balance, light, and the emotional response a piece creates in a space. It also means responsibility; to craft, to sustainability, and to the tradition of British furniture making, while pushing it forward into a contemporary context.
Describe what you call yourself/your practice?:
I am a contemporary furniture maker and material-led craft practitioner, working under the name The Woodyard Ockeridge and Woodyard Interiors. My practice centres on the intersection of traditional British woodworking and contemporary resin casting, creating functional sculptural pieces that sit between design and fine art.
Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching:
My practice includes:
Designing and manufacturing limited-run and bespoke furniture pieces
Material experimentation with resin casting and surface finishes
Developing new production methods that retain handcrafted quality
Studio-based demonstrations and open workshop engagement
Collaborative commissions with interior spaces and independent retailers
I am increasingly interested in expanding into more publicly visible studio processes; allowing visitors to see raw materials alongside finished pieces, to better understand the transformation from timber slab to final work.
CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice:
Founder & Director – The Woodyard Ockeridge Ltd
Contemporary furniture maker specialising in timber and resin
Established independent workshop practice in Worcestershire, developing a material-led approach combining traditional joinery with modern casting techniques.
Background in independent craft business development, material sourcing, and production design.
Ongoing self-directed study in timber behaviour, finishing techniques, resin chemistry, and furniture construction methods.
Exhibitions in the last 3 years:
h.Art Hereford Art Week 2025
Kington Show 2023
Your gallery outlets/stockists:
The Hop Pocket Shopping Village
Meyer and Marsh