Introducing Coed Coexist's Welsh Artist in Residence: Rae Woods
We are thrilled to announce the latest milestone in the Coed Coexist project: a talented artist from Wales will embark on a four-week residency at the Mt. Fuji Wood Culture Society in Japan later this year. This opportunity is made possible through the Wales and Japan Culture Fund as part of the Year of Wales and Japan.
Plas Glyn-y-Weddw was overwhelmed by the response to its call for wood artists to submit proposals for this extraordinary opportunity in Yamanashi, Japan. Reflecting on the submissions, one of the selectors remarked:
“The strength and quality of work by Welsh artists in this medium is truly remarkable. This project not only offers the artist a chance to immerse themselves in Japanese woodworking culture and practice, but also promises to enrich Wales’ broader arts community.”
Coed Coexist, initiated by Pen Llŷn artists Junko Mori & John Egan in collaboration with Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, aims to highlight the significance of trees and woodlands, exploring deeper connections, desires, and dependencies on these ecosystems while fostering community, creativity, and environmental stewardship. Building on the success of the 2024 symposium, Junko, John, and Plas Glyn-y-Weddw are driving this residency project to establish a lasting cultural and craft exchange between Wales and Japan, with plans to host Japanese woodworking artists in Wales in the future.
After careful consideration, the panel selected Rae Woods, an exceptionally talented traditional woodworker based in Abergavenny, crafting functional, enduring forms from homegrown and reclaimed timber - ranging from furniture to timber frames, boats, and small-scale dwellings. Their practice is rooted in sustainability, heritage, and the belief that good craftsmanship should be both accessible and regenerative. With a background in furniture making, they are drawn to how wood carries with it a sense of place, time, and use. They are passionate about sharing their skills and run community builds and workshops.
Recently, they designed and built a tiny house, crafting every piece of furniture from reclaimed and homegrown hardwoods demonstrating resourcefulness, craftsmanship and a reverence for local materials. Accessibility is a key aspect of their work; they teach woodworking to marginalised groups, highlighting the importance of visibility and inclusion in craft and a means of empowerment.
The aspiration of this project and the broader Coed Coexist ethos is to forge connections among craftspeople, exchange skills and histories, and promote cultural understanding.
Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society
The ethos of the Mt Fuji Wood Culture Society is set within the importance of the culture of wood. It has a public display of collections of chairs and other items and provides technical guidance and hands-on experience in woodworking and in so doing it contributes to the improvement of the cultural life of citizens, the preservation of the natural environment and the sound upbringing of children.