2018 sees the continuation of my on going theme of Birth-Coming of age – Death and Renewal. It marks the third phase in sculptures that one might find in a primitive/pagan burial structure that relates to the after-life. To date there have been 6 warrior totems/trophy’s and two large spirit guardians. The new works are gifts/ offerings and spirit animals.
On a recent trip to Vancouver Island to visit a friend, he showed me these objects he was collecting from an old growth forest he called “Rhino horns”. Depending on their size they consist of a portion of broken exterior tree branch and the complete inner section that resembles a rhino horn. The ones from British Columbia are dense, packed with resin and are the last that remain of the tree before the forest swallows its dead. They could be hundreds of years old and are very rare.
Once rescued I proceed to give it a new life by grinding off the old weathered exterior, this brings it down to a new fresh patina. Once I become familiar with the piece I start to intricately carve my personal vision into it. Sometimes, I add other materials, such as feathers, sea kelp or manufactured sticks made of old cedar. They are hand coloured with a natural water based aniline wood stain and finished with a hand rubbed antique shellac. I then make a stand or structure to house the piece. They are made of century old barn board, weathered cedar rail and sea kelp and are equally worked as the piece they house. Some hang on the wall, some are table top and some stand alone.
Due to the fact that no two “Rhino horns” are the same, each piece is original, timeless and are made by an old soul.