~ : Gilgamesh : ~

This carving is done in old Teak which started out as a fire place surround in my parents house and is circa 1960.

On replacement of the fire in 2001 (ish) The teak became a seat in my garden until recently when I acquired a greenhouse and the seat had to go (click here). I took the opportunity to use some of the wood to create a roof top garden on my shed (click here) and the rest became this carving. The wood itself was bone dry and very brittle but the worn aged look to the wood was too good to pass up.

This is the first panel carving I have done and I managed to create some depth in the nose by sticking an off cut of teak (from the same fire surround) onto the original panel to create the nose.

The finish is in oil which has darkened him up allot, showing the true depth of the teaks color, which is glorious, however it masks the pyrography a little. However it has come out rather well and I like the end result. Teak being an oily wood will age wonderfully in the garden without rotting.

XX

I have added swirls, made from wire, to the panel similar to patterns I have seen in eastern art and Henna tattoos. They tie in nicely with the "wind" element coming up and introduce the theme for the carving linked strongly to the origins of the teak tree itself

The addition of burning around the wire added more depth; the effect was more pronounced pre oiling, however it still has had the desired effect.

There is the use of runes on the piece which are on both sides of the panel and are a quote from the 'Epic of Gilgamesh' again chosen to tie in with the origins of the wood itself.

"Who is there, my friend, can climb to the sky?

Only the gods dwell forever in sunlight.

As for man, his days are numbered,

Whatever he may do, Its but wind".

(Gilgamesh to Enkidu)

Length x Width x Depth

27.5cm x 10cm x 2.9cm (4.5cm including nose)

Let me know what you think..........

Your comments and ideas for future work is welcome.

Dave (June 2009)

Sold 18/09/09