Gallery
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‘Spirit Pole’ - (Water)
’Spirit Pole’, journeys forward through the creation of a largish piece that exhibits beauty, movement, form and balance. I am more likely to suggest that ‘Spirit Pole’ is representation of organic forms, flowing and interacting in unison.
The greatest challenge when I was creating this piece was to maintain a balance/flow. How each shape interacts with the other, within the context of this sculpture.
Inspired by small hand held carvings. Size 1900mm x 500mm diameter. Weight estimate is 150kg. Carved from Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak)
‘The Beginning’
’The Beginning’ evolved from my need to create a piece that contained, centred and balanced me in the process of creation. It had parameters that held me to account and lines that guided me. Previous to ‘The Beginning’, my approach was wildly, intuitively express and boundaries of creation were more broader of field. Psychologically, this approach can be very demanding; especially after creating ‘Ocean’. Meditatively carved, I felt peaceful and it felt like a beginning, a new approach to sculpting and a better sense of well-being. Sugar Gum Sleeper - 1390 x 190 x 70. Mounted onto a metal base of 840 X 200 X 80. Overall height of 2230.
‘Unfurling’
‘Unfurling’ began through a call of inspiration to find my connect to carving again. Connecting to the sensual process of wood, visceral flow, the stream of consciousness and stillness of mind in the creative process. With this piece, I elected not using power tools. Rather I focus on connection to a repetition of tapping with mallet and chisel. Using a keen eye to observe and appreciate direction of line. Not once here had I brought a pencil to the making of marks, suggesting which way I should guide the chisel. The chisel became the guide and my mind observed. Possible timber variety is Messmate. Carving block size - 980 x 190 x 190. Mounted onto a metal base at 780 X 410 X 410/ 1680 overall height.
‘Angel’
‘Angel’, is one of a seven sculptors block session. All the work of this series (including Angel) were created as an intuitive exploration. No concept was held in mind. It was a process that was exploring the timber with the chainsaw and creating lines and deeper cuts to excavate inward. The form of ‘Angel’ appeared so I developed this. Minimal detail and a soft expression was achieved. Block size 1015 x 250 x 250. Cypress Pine. Carved height of ‘Angel’ - 720. Mounted onto a metal base at 585 X 335 X 335. Overall height of 1600.
‘Drooping Lady’
‘Drooping Lady’, an intuitive exploration and discovery of exaggerated, elongated human form with an emphasise to allowing the structure and finish to be left as raw as possible. Sculpture block size 1035 x 195 x 195. Carved height of ‘ Drooping Lady - 580. Mounted onto a metal base of 895 high X 300 diameter. Overall height at 1930.
‘Dryad’
‘Dryad’s’ stance, draping cloth over her feminine features and stability suggested to me that she was encased in this very sacred holding, like been held in union with the tree she came from. From Greek myth (Dryad), a female tree spirit. Carving approximately 560 x 200 x 200/ 1130 total height of wood block. Mounted onto a metal base at 285 High X 300 diameter. Overall height at 1415.
‘The Becoming’
‘The Becoming’, was an exploration of my own strength. To embody feelings of strength over feelings of weakness. The sculpture exhibits a feminine unfurling in the upper section, balanced with a robust chest. I’m pleased with it’s refined nature and expressive forward motion. This piece inspires a future direction with my sculpting practice. Sculptors block size is 1600 x 300 x 300. Carved height of ‘ The Becoming’ is 520. Mounted onto a metal base at 350 X 350 X 25. Overall height 1625.
‘Sound Shell’
‘Sound Shell’, suggests a musical instrument that evolved from life and it’s unfurling magic. If it could make noise, it would be an ancient echoing roar, found deep within remains of a forest floor. Celery Top pine from Tasmania - 1620 x 290 x 220. Carved section 850 x 270 x 190. Base and carved section one solid piece. Mounted onto a metal base at 355 X 295 X 25. Overall height of 1645.
‘Prow’
‘Prow’, undertook a series of sketches and explorative prototypes, prior to stepping into a larger scale. I completed the work to a finely sanded finish to satisfy the look I created. Sculptors block size is 1490 x 400 x 400 Cypress Pine. Carved section height is 640. Mounted onto a metal base at 495 X 495 X 25. Overall height of 1515.
‘Girl’
‘Girl’, is a part of a series of 7 sculptors blocks I worked through to completion together. Girl was an opening of expression and a letting go of trying to be anatomically correct. Girl then arose to have a very expressive, slightly twisted back and the front suggests a girl in seating position. Later the head was brought out. Here I let go of judgement as to where the head sat in relation to the back section. The face feels strong and innocent, old yet youthful. Sculptors block Cypress pine - 1020 x 245 x 240. Carved section height is 700. Mounted onto a metal base at 900 X 255 X 255. Overall height of 1920.
‘Transmutation Anger’
‘Transmutation Anger’, expressing a fierceness, protective and forthright energy. A woman from New Zealand claimed that it reminded her of the taiaha, a traditional weapon of the Maori. Red and angry, it was what came about once I made a decision to stop sugar. No longer sugar coating my life’s experience, I found myself alone in my anger, facing my irritability, frustrations and rage. Once completed, I had felt a significant inward shift. Having moved into a more calm and objective view. Red gum species 1200 x 140 x 100. Mounted onto metal base of 360 X 320 X 25. Overall height of 1225.
‘Ocean’
‘Ocean’, was made with an organic form in mind. It took many twists and turns to begin feeling the way forward. Initially it was at least 3 times the height. Feeling too complicated and not quite the simplistic balance I was aiming to achieve. Here is where bold actions are required as I then removed everything that contradicted simplicity. Once satisfied, it reminded me of a sea shell that was heavily corroded by the ocean and hence its name. The ocean removes all things of non necessity. It gives and it takes. Cypress pine - 1020 x 450 x 395. Mounted on a metal base of 510 X 450 X 25. Overall height of 1045.
‘Return of the Old Ways’
‘Return of the Old Ways’ This piece was initiated by my sense to deepen the relationship with story telling through carving. It began with a need to contain expression into a flat piece of wood . Like a thick piece of paper that was drawn up with an immediacy. Very spontaneous, no thinking and just witnessing life energy make sense of a moment in time. This took not more than ten minutes to draw up. I liked the Natural flow, forms, and balance it all contained. The meditation of then cutting out the lines with chisel. Day after day. No need for power tools on this particular piece. It reminded me of ancient forms and expressions created by my Ancestors. I’m proud of this piece ‘Return of the Old Ways’. Appreciating the tens of thousands of chiselled faucets that exposed the definition of a picture that was relieved from within. Knowing too that AI could not produce this. Unique, centred, balanced, charactered and spirited. 1160 X 245 X 50 Hardwood unknown species.
’Spirit Face’
‘Spirit Face’, spontaneously created with minimal features. Almost has a sense that the face is a mask, concealing a spirit. Or perhaps to allow the spirit to exhibit a form. It does remind me of an Earth Guardian Spirit. Protector of the subtle earth energies. 960 x 245 x 245. Cypress Pine.
’Sea Captain’
‘Sea Captain’, was adventurous, like an ocean crossing. The face changed four times. Four attempts at trying to get it right. Tumultuous emotions and very unpleasant at times. The face stern, unrelenting and forthright in actions to keep the ship sailing. Eyes distant, yet inward looking.
500 high X 400 wide X 350 deep. Cypress pine.
‘Wisened’
‘Wisened’, seemed to always have a gentle, forthright and a sensitivity that was felt in the process of creating her. Not all faces are easy to create, often expressing a blind spot in myself. This one though, came from a more matured, wise part of myself. 530 x 245 X 245. Cypress pine.
’Gaze’
‘Gaze’ created with a sense of humour, spirit and unabated. The character is alive and senses are evoked in question of what or where this piece is gazing unto. 650 x 200 x 200. Cypress pine.
’Young Woman’
‘Young Woman’, Cheekie, moodie and defiant. High cheek bones so perhaps Nordic. You decide! 500 x 195 x 195. Cypress pine.
‘Prototype’
‘Prototype’ is a series of small works to help ascertain how to problem solve designs for larger pieces.
‘Organico Mechanico’
‘Organico Mechanico’ was created from a need to express symmetry within spontaneous no thought expression. The form was bound by removing the rot in this old Messmate post before I was able to draw up it’s shape. To me it has quite good structure and a balance between nature and a square cut middle section. 1760mm x 175mm x 160mm
‘Sea Spirit’ was once a square cut post and no intention of creating what came through. My first response was “Here we go, another figure”. I was surprised though of her presence, grace and pose. Protecting her expecting child. Totemic, archetypal and a monument unto herself. Left cracked, chiseled and raw as was a choice to cover over and conceal her honesty.
‘Sea Spirit’
‘How Natural’
‘How Natural’ was such a fun and spontaneous piece to create. Rebelling against tight conformity and shaking off previous sculpture with the celebration of free expression. My aim here was to create a very natural freeform with space and breath in-between. Carved from a Sugar Gum Sleeper. 1420mm x 200mm x 70mm.
‘Shield’
Shield’ was created with a desire to form a pleasing symmetrical shape. Yes it looks shield like, perhaps even boat like. But what ever its context I do like this one!
‘Return from a Crypt’
‘Return from a Crypt’ I drew up directly onto the timber free from thoughts and the feeling, balance and form was right without question. Though the time to hand carve this one was an enormous time consumption until completion.
‘Interpretation’
‘Interpretation’ is a piece that allowed for movement, freedom of expression and trying to avoid a definable subject. Yes it clearly embodies a figure but is it? Carved from a Cedar post. 1550mm high x 145mm x 145mm.
‘Scream’
‘Scream’ expresses a very primal urge. I know that feeling when an overwhelm takes hold and one wishes to be alone so they can SCREAM! This piece has a scary element that only shows a very raw and obvious feature of a scream gesture. Carved from a ‘Liquid Amber’ log. 1130mm high x 450mm diameter. 100 kg approximately.
‘Protector’
‘Protector’ had come through me with the need, desire and will to protect myself from negative unseen forces in the psychic realm. We all at some stage can find ourselves resting with negative forces. It is a battle that can literally kill you if not defeated. I called upon a form that was a protective element as to tune in with to survive some pretty hard life lessons!
‘Wings’
‘Wings’ came from a need to enjoy the size and softness of the beautiful cedar post of which they came. Generally I know not what I will carve but allow for ideas and inspiration to evolve from the marks and cuts as I go. With this piece, less is more and the markings and simplicity felt to have more depth than over doing detail. I would not take offence if people decided to hug this piece as I feel it uplifts like wings.
‘Horse’
‘‘Horse’ of course I wanted to create a horse. He is gentle, sweet and soft. Not having carved a horse before and enjoyed my second attempt and this worked out.
‘Man’
‘Man’ is a cheeky and unto himself character. I actually love what came through in his cheeky, raw and non subservient manner. I too am satisfied with the finish as knowing where to stop is often the greater art!
‘Unto Herself’
Unto Herself was quite a cheeky piece. Somewhat like a Nymph revealing herself from behind a tree. Quite solid in her features and so too her nature. 920mm x 200mm and 20 kg approximate weight. Red Stringy Bark.
‘Of Forest’
‘Of Forest’ inspired from the essence of the surrounding bushland in which I live. It came from an immediate, no thought expression. Creating this piece and others of this type were about no fuss and as quickly as I could so to avoid pretension. What this achieves is an honesty in form. Yes I was to be at peace of where to stop. No emphasis upon over doing it. This figure smiles with a knowing wisdom from the forrest. A quiet strength.
’Choosing’
‘Choosing’ has a notion of expressing a moment of inward choice. Quite simply expressed but says it all.
’Spirit’
‘Spirit’ was an exploration of a series of work that required me to be spontaneous and efficient in producing figurative works that were immediate and no pre-thought of the type of figure I was to create. The material came from fallen trees on our land, mostly Red Stringy Bark. I enjoyed the feeling of this piece. Soft, gentle, kind and loving in spirit. Hence the name - ‘Spirit’. 900 mm high x 300mm in diameter. Approximately 30 kg.
‘Curious’
‘Curious’ expresses a very present moment of curiosity in her very kind eyes. I feel a deep warmth exuding from her manner and would clearly love to meet someone of her kind. Raw and spontaneously was the process of this creation.
‘Flesh’
To Edit!
‘Four Pillars of Family Unity’
‘Four Pillars of Family Unity’, is a sculpture that was created with this very subject in mind as I was processing the emotions around this concept. I pay very little notice of what I am creating externally with these types of pieces as they are a mere expression of inward gazing. But of course it requires a balance of perception and expression. The four existing pillars represent a family I created with the mother of my children. A son, daughter, mother and father. Each an individual in his or her expression and existing in the frame work of four. Each are part of the structural balance. Softly entwined, unique and holding.
‘Angel’
‘Angel’ was inspired by an unknown artist’s etching I came across on Pinterest. The overall shape was guideline to me instilling my own interpretation and character. Carved from an Oak log and boy was I amazed at how beautiful Oak carves. No restriction to the grain direction. So soft to carve yet so structural. The Angel’s wings are quite an exaggerated feature in this relief to create greater movement and velocity to overall form. The hand is reaching back into the log of which she came.
Exhibition statement
Behind the concepts of this body of work is an exploration of natural forms, shapes and patterns. I try to express authenticity in spontaneity, movement and flow.
The figurative body is mostly organically created without too much emphasis on anatomical correctness.
When I am faced with a sculptor’s block of wood, I tend to set it as an opportunity to unblock the unseen. To actualise my blind spots, to inform, to instruct and to inspire future directions. It’s all information that evokes awareness.
The ocean or water often plays a big role in my work. Concepts around the ocean and decay through water.
David Puustinen 2025