We can only go by what we have found. The oldest forms of wood carvings were found in Egypt and date back to possibly 4000 BC. I imagine this wood survived time due to the extreme dryness of the Egyptian climate. At that time Egyptian hieroglyphs were carved into large wood panels that were uncovered in some of the ancient tombs.
Man has always had a tendency to decorate and embelish articles that are commonly used and viewed, whether it be in catheredrals, abbeys, or in the home as furniture or house enhancements. This love affair with items carved from wood has taken place throughout the ages all over the world. Granted, the art has gone out of fashion because it is time consuming and requires significant skill, resulting in expensive pieces. The invention of wood carving machines and wood stamping presses hasn't helped, either.
We do have some good carvers here in Connecticut, and I will talk about two of them whom I know personally. James of North Windham, Connecticut fulfills the role not only of a woodcarver but also of a teacher. James has been carving in wood for over 35 years, and has taught woodcarving in the public school system as well as in private classes. The standard he sets is a quality of craftsmanship that has earned him an enduring reputation among his peers for his traditional European style of carving. He creates history from his carvings.
James's latest carvings include his preening swan fashioned from white pine, the Dowitcher shorebird carved with a graceful flow of the neck and head, the classical folk art shorebird decoy and the valiant flier, the Canadian goose. These birds are so realistic that you expect them to fly away as you move closer to view them.
When weather permits, James can be found at the Revolutionary War reenactments dressed in his 1700s garb and speaking in old Colonial fashion while carving something fantastic out of wood. While he carves he tells stories about how life was hundreds of years ago. Watching him, listening to his vocabulary in that accent of his, and looking around at the group of other reenactors brings one back in time. It's a wonderful feeling... We need more people like James who can take us on such a trip.
Another talented woodcarver is Derek of Norwich, Connecticut, he has also been carving for 35 years. Derek has exhibited his works of art at various art galleries and at the Slater Museum in Norwich, and has participated in many sucessful art shows throughout Eastern Connecticut. Derek's works include dolphins, cranes and model ships in which his attention to detail creates a lifelike appearance.
Some of Derek's carvings include his bottlenose dolphin made from cedar, painted dolphins made from cedar and mounted on a vine, dolphins at play on a wave and three dolphins at play fashioned from birchwood and mounted on a root burl.
Derek has carved a fleet of old sailing ships that have been carved according to details gleaned from extensive research. Two of these are of an ancient Dahshur boat made of teakwood and his Chinese junk carved from white ash and then painted by hand.
Although I am impressed with all of Derek's carvings, his maplewood Japanese cranes have attracted my attention due to the feathers that are carved from wood. They look so much like real feathers that I had to touch them to make sure they were wood! These birds, caught in the act of flapping their wings, appear ready for take off. I've never seen anything like it and I asked him how he does it. He smiled and said "experience."
So, here we have it. Two master woodcarvers with over 70 years experience between them, carrying on an art form that has been around since the beginning of time. The work of both artists may be viewed at connecticuthandiworks.com.
Jimmy Halloran is Co-Owner of ConnecticutHandiworks.com, an online retailer featuring handcrafted items made in Connecticut
No comments:
Post a Comment