WORKROOM
Geographically ambiguous, hauntingly beautiful and the hub
of artistic industry. Ann Wood’s moody blue surroundings
foster remarkable creativity and provide shelter for her and
her dolls and soft animal sculptures. By Susan HurleyWelcome to my
H
ere’s a little guessing game
for you: Where would you
fi nd this studio space? Bet
you go straight for Victorian England,
right? It’s got all the tell-tale elements- potted aspidistra; barley-twist
furniture; tread-worn parquetry;
button-studded sofa; and fi ne-bone
cups and saucers, ready for ‘elevenses’.
It could be Soames Forsyte’s drawing
room or Mr Chips’ parlour.
Well, guess again. It’s actually the
studio space of Ann Wood and it’s
slap-bang in the heart and hubbub
of downtown Brooklyn, New York- a small (32 square metres) home
that doubles as a workroom within
the walls of a classic brownstone
building. Who’d have thought?
So let’s set aside images of genteel
British salons and head straight
for the pulsing metropolis where
Ann lives and creates all sorts of
wondrous fabric dolls, objet and wild
creatures – owls and ravens, spiders,
mozzies and even perfectly attired
rats. All her sweet creations are as
charming as their surroundings,
and are dotted about the place as
if they own it. Birds with scrap-
- a small (32 square metres) home
fabric features roost on tabletops.
Papier-mâché galleons hang from
the ceiling, as if floating on a sea of
air. Wire-legged spiders scurry out
of glass jars. And delicate rag dolls
wear lacy pantaloons. These few
square metres provide as much of
a home for dolls and critters as they
do for the artist herself.
Ann says her home and studio
are the very reflection of her style of
crafting. “I love the oldness of the
building. The place comes with its
own charm, with giant windows and
period details. It makes a good home