Sunday, June 28, 2009

~ : 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

8 comments:

Unknown said...

v. cool carving and possible the ultimate in recycling! Also love the poem.

The Great Ethan Allen said...

Those carvers in Thailand carve in teak, It seems quite possibly the greatest wood for carving because of the oily properties that prevent decay. Even untreated outside! I wonder if it ever checks or splits though.

Cosmic Crafts said...

I love the idea of a carved panel and the richness and depth of the colour is amazing. To be totally honest, I'm not keen on the wire scrolls. Their newness doesn't seem to fit with the aged wood, but thats just my personal opinion. Will the wire age in the elements ?

Woodwosecarving said...

Ethan: yes the teak does split over time but not nearly as quickly as native woods.

Jane: oh yes, within a matter of a few months they will tarnish and darken. They are galvinised so shouldnt rust.

Cosmic Crafts said...

You'll have to do us an update photo in a few months time Dave :o)

Woodwosecarving said...

Jane: I have had a suggestion that i should have used copper wire. That might have had thre effect you were thinking of. Dave

ChuckT said...

Oooh! Love the wire coils! Somehow I missed this piece. As with all your work...Spectacular!!! Well done.

Woodwosecarving said...

Thanks Chuck.