Evolution | Revolution, an exhibit by wood sculptor Michael Peterson, on display at Bellevue Arts Museum through through September 20.

The exhibit of over 30 sculptures, traces the evolution from the artist’s early lathe turned bowls to his current, revolutionary sculptures devoid of the lathe.

Inspired by the geographic environment of the Pacific Northwest, Peterson’s work involves turning, carving, sandblasting, bleaching and pigmenting the burl portion of trees such as madrone, maple, grass tree, elm and locust.

Peterson starts out with multiple wet chunks of wood which are carved and hollowed out using chainsaws. As the pieces dry, they shrink and warp in unpredictable ways that heighten their grain patterns and create rich textures. He then smoothes the edges and sometimes bleaches the pieces prior to layering them with multiple subtle coats of pigments which he often times wipes away to create the illusion of depth – much the same way painters do when using chiaroscuro techniques.

Some of the sculptures are composed of individual hollowed-out units that, when stacked vertically, are reminiscent of how waves would toss driftwood into unpredictable positions on the beach.

Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, Peterson now resides on Lopez Island. Peterson’s work has been featured in many solo and group exhibitions over the last 20 years, and can be found in public collections throughout North America, including: the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY; the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, Charlotte, NC and the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.