Ash & Plumb is the creative partnership of Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb, contemporary British makers celebrated for their sculptural wooden vessels that unite traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Working from their studio in the South Downs, they create one-off works in sustainably sourced green oak, drawing inspiration from ancient ceramics, classical forms and archaeological artefacts while embracing the natural movement and character of the wood.
Before establishing their studio, Ash and Plumb worked in the fashion industry before leaving their careers in search of a more hands-on creative practice. Following a period living in Australia, they returned to Britain and developed a distinctive approach to woodturning that combines historical research with contemporary craftsmanship. Their work is informed by Neolithic pottery, Greek and Roman amphorae, seventeenth-century bronzes and vernacular wooden objects, reinterpreting these forms through a pared-back, sculptural aesthetic.
Each vessel begins as a single piece of unseasoned English oak, hand-turned before being left to dry naturally. As the timber seasons, it twists, shrinks and cracks, becoming a participant in the creative process. Rather than concealing these changes, Ash & Plumb celebrate them, incorporating hand-stitched repairs and carefully developed patinas that emphasise the material's history and individuality. This dialogue between maker and material has become a defining characteristic of their practice.
Since their debut in 2021, Ash & Plumb have established themselves among the leading voices in contemporary British craft. Their work has been exhibited at Collect Art Fair, Homo Faber in Venice, PAD London and TEFAF New York, and is represented by galleries including Sarah Myerscough Gallery and The Scottish Gallery. In 2024, their work Annulus was acquired by the National Museums of Scotland following Collect Open, while Amphora V entered the collection of Brighton Museum through the Contemporary Art Society in 2025. Barnaby Ash is also a recipient of the QEST x Turners' Company Scholarship, recognising excellence in contemporary craftsmanship.
