Dirk Heinemann: Smooth Blowfish with Mahogany Tobacco Pipe

When asked about his favorite shapes to make, Dirk quickly cited the Blowfish due to "the freedom in the shaping process and how much the grain has an influence on the shape." Though somewhat conservative compared to more overtly sculptural renditions, this example is still quite reflective of Heinemann's appreciation for the form — with each of the bowl's plump, convex planes working to frame a different glimpse into the block's grain. Birdseye covers both flanks, with a neat column of crossgrain flowing down its slightly undulating spine. What's more, Dirk's imbued it with his own creative spirit as well, keeping the overall silhouette quite streamlined but really playing with the asymmetry when viewed from the smoker's perspective. With its ebbing gesture from left to right, it seems to call to mind a fish in motion, lending the piece a decidedly organic disposition. That pronounced asymmetry also allows the piece to sit quite steadily on flat surface, balanced perfectly along its base, leaning slightly to the left with its tail-like shank and stem kicked high in the air. Beautiful piece from Dirk!

- Andrew Wike