For over three decades, Woodrow Nash has worked to give form to stories the world nearly forgot, sculpting figures that carry the weight of lineage and the grace of memory.
Thank you to the collectors who took part. Both pieces are no longer available for bidding. The next auction and new work from the studio will be announced here first.
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Permission to be. Permission to be seen. Permission to be loved, not because you have earned it, but because you have always been worthy of it.
Thandiwe does not carry love as a memory. He carries it as an invitation.
Crafted in rich earth tones, living greens, and strokes of deep blue, his form is a landscape of intention. Vines and roots climb across his chest and shoulders, camouflaged as tribal artifacts, lineage made visible. Every mark on his surface speaks of connection, of soil that remembers the feet that walked it, of hands that shaped and were shaped in return.
White beaded stones rest at his throat like words he chose not to speak aloud. Weathered earrings hang close to his skin, ceremonial and grounding adornments, not of vanity but of ancestry. His hair rises in coiled blue flame, reaching upward the way hope reaches when it has decided to stay.
His face is calm. Not empty, but full. Full of the quiet that comes after a man has walked through everything and chosen tenderness anyway.
This sculpture may be displayed indoors or outdoors. Placed outside, natural weathering will deepen his texture, allowing time and element to continue the conversation Woodrow Nash began. Indoors, he transforms a space into a sanctuary, a reminder that strength and softness have never been strangers.
Meaning “Peace,” Xolani is a heartfelt tribute to the stillness within, a youthful figure carved with a timeless spirit and a tranquil soul.
Xolani’s torso and arms are finished in a warm blend of brown and orange tones, accented by delicate gold carvings that trace patterns across his chest and limbs. These etched details add rhythm and meaning to his surface, symbols of harmony, lineage, and balance.
His locs, shaded in an ombré of burnt orange and deep brown, are pulled into a ponytail at the back, with a few left to fall freely. This subtle movement in his hairstyle brings quiet life to his still form, reflecting a natural ease and grace.
Though simple in form, Xolani carries a profound sense of presence. The earthy tones and soft carvings evoke rootedness, healing, and grounded joy. His peaceful composure reminds us that stillness is a strength, especially when carried by the next generation.
Named Xolani, meaning Peace, this sculpture invites viewers to find beauty in balance. Through earthy tones, organic patterns, and gentle posture, Xolani symbolizes how peace is both a gift and a responsibility. Something to be nurtured, held, and passed on.
Woodrow Nash brings more than thirty years of practice to each figure he forms. His work moves between clay, paint, and fire, drawing from the visual language of the African diaspora and the quiet authority of craft.
Collected internationally and exhibited across the United States and abroad, Nash’s sculptures are held in private collections, institutional galleries, and historic landmarks including Whitney Plantation. Each piece is handworked in his Akron studio, carrying the marks of the hand that shaped it.
Read the full story →I love his artwork. Met him during Essence Festival and seen the work up close. I purchased the cards as gifts and ended up keeping them to frame, they anchor a gallery wall in my home and I consistently receive compliments from every visitor.Kristina Jones
My husband and I had the absolute honor of attending a private gathering with Woodrow. His words were powerful, grounding, and filled with so much heart. An unforgettable experience with one of the most gifted living artists today.Sasha Creates
I bought the mother and child piece years ago, it has continued to bring me joy, and my guests always rave about its beauty. Thanks for sharing your gifts and for being a shining example of African American excellence.Louis Barnett
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