Description
Hollow — Sculptural Walnut Wood Vase
Hollow is a one-of-a-kind sculptural wood vase, hand-carved from a single piece of European walnut.
Its smooth natural exterior gives little away at first. Turn the piece, and openings begin to appear between the rising sections of wood, revealing a deeply charred interior — dark, irregular and unexpectedly spacious.
The form is built around this transition: between surface and depth, light and shadow, what is visible and what remains concealed.
Process & Material
I began Hollow without drawings, templates or a predetermined final shape.
I worked directly with the walnut, gradually removing material and responding to what appeared — the direction of the grain, the resistance of the wood, its knots and natural markings. As the form opened, several rising sections began to separate from one another, each finding a slightly different direction.
I kept the exterior smooth and quiet. Here, the walnut itself remains present: its grain travels across the curves, interrupted only by the natural history held within the wood.
Inside, I allowed the process to remain more physical.
The recessed surfaces retain traces of carving and were charred by hand, creating a deep brown to almost black interior. Rather than hiding the contrast, I made it part of the sculpture. Light moves softly across the polished outer surfaces but is absorbed by the dark texture within.
The idea behind Hollow came from old trees I have seen in the Bieszczady Mountains in southern Poland.
Some still appear almost solid when seen from one direction. Only when you walk around them does an opening suddenly reveal itself — a split or hollow leading into a dark interior hidden inside the trunk.
I wasn’t interested in reproducing a tree. What stayed with me was something simpler: the relationship between an outer form and the space it conceals.
Presence in Space
Hollow has no single front.
Its character changes as you move around it. From one direction, the walnut forms an almost uninterrupted vertical surface. From another, narrow passages of darkness appear. Seen from above, the structure opens, and the depth of the interior becomes fully visible.
Natural light makes these changes particularly clear. The smooth walnut catches it gently, while the charred interior remains quieter and deeper. Along the irregular edges, light and darkness meet.
Hollow can hold dried flowers, grasses or a single sculptural branch, but it does not need an arrangement to feel complete. Empty, the space inside becomes part of the work itself.
Its restrained material palette works naturally in gallery-like interiors and spaces shaped by wood, stone, linen, concrete and natural light.
Authenticity
Hollow is a one-of-a-kind piece, hand-carved by me from a single block of European walnut in my studio in Poland.
Natural grain, knots, and subtle imperfections have been intentionally preserved as part of the material.
The sculpture is signed by me and photographed as it actually exists, in natural light. No AI-generated images or renders are used.
Technical Details
Title: Hollow
Type: Sculptural vase / contemporary wood sculpture
Material: Solid European walnut
Dimensions: H 36 × W 17 cm / 14.2 × 6.7 in
Weight: 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb
Technique: Hand-carved from a single piece of wood; hand-textured and charred interior
Finish: Borma wax
Colour: Natural walnut with deep brown to almost black interior
Use: Dried botanicals, sculptural branches or standalone display
Water: Not suitable for water or fresh flowers
Origin: Handmade in Poland
Artist: Ewelina Głowacz
Shipping
Hollow is finished and ready to ship.
Free shipping is available throughout the European Union.
For collectors in the United States, Hollow is shipped DDP, with customs duty prepaid.
For other destinations outside the European Union, the piece is declared as an original work of art under HS 9703. Local taxes or other destination charges, where applicable, remain the responsibility of the recipient.
Hollow is carefully protected in reinforced packaging and shipped with tracking and insurance.
A VAT invoice is included where applicable.