Gallery
Based in the Yarra Valley, VIC. Contact me to arrange a personal viewing of any sculptures.
‘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. Every face achieves this balanced interaction and is notably a favourite piece expressed by many. Here I wanted to create a piece that was subject to feeling rather than thinking.
Size: 190 height x 50 cm diameter
Medium: Grevillea Robust (Silky Oak)
You are welcome to view the video upon the creation of this piece on https://substack.com/@davidpuustinen Episode 19
©David Puustinen, all rights reserved.
Inventory: 0012
‘The Beginning’(Donated)
‘The Beginning’ evolved from a need to create a piece that felt to be centred and balanced. 'The Beginning' had parameters that held me to account and lines to guide. Previous to ‘The Beginning’, my approach was wildly expressed 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 in connecting to this piece and the creative process. It was like a beginning of a new approach to sculpting, providing me a better sense of well-being. Natural patterns and a rhythmic structure of which one shape shoulders another.
Size: 139 x 19 x 7cm mounted on a steel base at height 83 cm/ Overall height 232 cm
Medium: Sugar Gum
A video describing this piece exist on https://substack.com/@davidpuustinen episode 11
©David Puustinen, all rights reserved.
Inventory: 0008
‘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.
Size: 98 height x 19 x 19 cm. Mounted onto a steel base 78 x 41 x 41cm/ Overall height 168cm.
‘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. Angel portrays a simple form of an angel with broken wings, in a seated position and head gazing in contemplation. Seeking resolution to return back to the angelic
Size: 101.5 height x 25 x 25 cm. Mounted onto a metal base 58.5 height x 33.5 x 33.5/ Overall height 160cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘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.
Size: 103.5 height x 19.5 x 19.5 cm.. Mounted onto a metal base 89.5 height x 30 cm diameter/ Overall height 193 cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘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.
Size: 113 height x 20 x 20 cm. Mounted onto a metal base 28.5 height x 30 cm diameter/ Overall height 141.5 cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘The Becoming’
‘The Becoming’, was an exploration of my own strength. Toembody 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.
Size: 160 height x 30 x 30 cm. Mounted onto a steel base 35 x 35 x 2.5 cm/ Overall height 162.5 cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘Sound Shell’ (Sold)
‘Sound Shell’, suggests a musical instrument that evolved from life and its 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 -
See video of my commentary about this work in Episode 15 of my Substack channel: https://substack.com/@davidpuustinen
Size: 162 height x 29 x 22 cm. Mounted onto a steel base 35.5 x 29.5 x 2.5 cm/ Overall height 164.5cm.
‘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.
Size: 149 height x 40 x 40 cm. Mounted onto a steel base 49.5 x 49.5 x 2.5 cm/ Overall height 151.5 cm
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘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 a seated 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. I found a lot of freedom in the completion of ‘Girl’, despite quite a lot of struggle with self judgement along the way.
Size: 102 height x 24.5 x 24 cm. Mounted onto a steel base 90 height x 25.5 x 25.5 cm/ Overall height 192 cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘Transmutation Anger’ (Donated)
‘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.
Size: 120 height x 14 x 10 cm. Mounted onto steel base 36 x 32 x 2.5 cm. Overall height 122.5 cm.
Medium: Red gum
‘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.
Size: 102 height x 45 x 39.5 cm. Mounted on a steel base 51 x 45 x 2.5 cm/ Overall height 104.5 cm.
Medium: Cypress Pine
‘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.
Size: 116 length x 24.5 X 5 cm.
Medium: 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.
Size: 96 height x 24.5 x 24.5 cm.
Medium: 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.
Size: 50 height x 40 wide x 35 cm deep.
Medium: 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.
Size: 53 height x 24.5 x 24.5 cm
Medium: 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.
Size: 65 height x 20 x 20 cm
Medium: Cypress pine
‘Young Woman’
‘Young Woman’, Cheeky, moody and defiant. High cheek bones so perhaps Nordic. You decide!
Size: 50 height x 19.5 x 19.5 cm.
Medium: 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.
Size: 176 height x 17.5 x 16 cm.
‘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.
Size:142 height x 20 x 7 cm.
Medium: Sugar Gum
‘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?
Size:155 height x 14.5 x 14.5 cm.
Medium: Cedar Wood
‘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.
Size: 113 height x 45 cm diameter.
Medium: Liquid Amber
‘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’ (Donated)
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.
Size: 92 height x 20 cm diameter.
Medium:. 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’ (Sold)
‘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’.
Size: 90 height x 30 cm diameter.
Medium: Red Stringy Bark
‘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!
‘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.
Angel -2
Size: 100 height x 51 x 45 cm depth.
Medium: Oak
‘Elements’
‘Elements’
‘Small carving_1’
A small carving of a soulful woman upon awakening. Still wrapped in her morning bedding, connects to her essence before rising into the day.
Medium: Cypress pine
Size: 31 high x 14.2 × 14.3 cm
‘Small carving_1’
‘Small carving_1’
‘Brick Paving’
‘Brick Paving’
‘Brick Paving’
‘Brick Paving’, I consider is a form of ground sculpture. It covers a practical element of flow, stability, vitality and direction of movement. Upon recollection, when I’m working directly on the ground, I do feel quite earthed so to say. Hard on the back but healthy overall. If you are seeking any stone or brickwork by me, please don’t hesitate to make contact as I would love to have a chat about what it is you are seeking and wishing to create!
‘Flagstone Paving’
‘Flagstone paving’
‘Cage Sculpture’
‘Cage Sculpture’ a mere experiment in playing with mesh., Creating large bowls to then render to be a feature in someone’s garden. Although the mesh was a pleasing visual so for this on e I had decided tot to render.
‘Cage Sculpture’
‘Cage Sculpture’
‘The Beach’
’The Beach’
‘Tiered Wall’
’Tiered Wall’
‘Tiered Wall’
’Tiered Wall’
‘Young Sculptor’
‘Young Sculptor’
‘Stone Work - 1’
’Stone Work - 1’
‘Stone Work - 2’
’Stone Work - 2’, was created in collaboration with Ian DeSiva, Paul Roadknight and David Puustinen. Sourced local stone from the region of the Macedon Ranges and quite an eclectic mix. This wall serves as both retainment, steps, seating and visual beauty. Please do contact me if you would like to discuss your own next project needs.
‘Stone Work - 3’
‘Stone Work - 3’
‘Stone Work - 4’
’Stone Work - 4’
‘Stone Work - 4’
‘Stone Work - 4’
‘The Beast that Swallowed the Sea’
’The Beast that swallowed the sea’
‘Painters Pallet - 1’
‘Painters - Pallet - 1’
‘Painters Pallet - 2’
‘Painters Pallet - 2’
‘Painters Pallet - 3’
‘Painters Pallet - 3’
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