Tim Stead: Perfect Imperfection

26 June - 18 July 2026

Open Eye Gallery

34 Abercromby Place

Edinburgh EH3 6QE

Tuesday -Friday 11-5 Saturday 11-2

openeyegallery.co.uk mail@openeyegallery.co.uk Tel: 0131 557 1020

Twentieth Century Antiques is excited to announce a selling exhibition in Edinburgh from 26 June - 18 July, showcasing a selection of works by British sculptor and furniture maker Tim Stead (1952-2000). The venue is the Open Eye Gallery, one of Scotland’s leading contemporary private art galleries, set in a former Georgian townhouse in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.

Tim Stead’s furniture has a wonderful organic, sculptural quality and is incredibly tactile. His work shares a deep understanding and an underlying philosophy to that of George Nakashima - ‘The soul and spirit of the tree, and the dedication of the woodworker to his or her craft’, and a belief that a tree that has lived a good life deserves a second life as a beautiful and considered piece of furniture. For Tim, furniture and sculpture were part of the same conversation, there is no distinction. Sculpture is furniture, furniture is sculpture. Like Nakashima, Tim Stead respected the natural properties of the wood. Rather than discarding the edges, cracks and knots, traditionally considered imperfect, he preserved and highlighted them turning these features into the focal point of each piece, allowing the wood to speak for itself.

The work of Tim Stead may be new to some, but to those who know and appreciate his work they love it and find it an absolute joy to live with. We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition.