Walker In The Wood
This funny sculpture, which Husband thought a bit creepy, speaks to me of the wisdom of trees. He hitched a ride home with me from a thrift store recently, and I paid the exorbitant price of $30. There is something very primitive about sculptures created out of bark. I was not familiar with this as an art form, but, like many things, it turns out there is a subculture of “bark carving” and “pyrography”, both of which are used here. Bark carving has a long history, and is found in most indigenous communities worldwide, including Native American cultures. In addition, oddly, it seems it was very popular in Scandinavian culture, going back to the 18th century. Pyrography, in turn, is used during the carving to add texture and color to pieces – it means literally “writing with fire”, and is used here on some of the inset sections which show as black.
This piece, signed “JP” and dated 2013 on the back, seems to speak to the idea of a spirit -or two- hidden among the trees. Hand carved with two bearded male faces, and numerous textural ladders, or windows, peeking out from the raw bark. If you look at it closely, you realize the carvings must require skill to keep the piece from breaking. The still raw bark and the carved sections work together to create a unique expression. I sometimes look at it and think “Lord of the Rings” but other times, feel much more like “middle ages conquering wizards”. Many bark carved pieces are referred to as “gnarly” which is remarkably appropriate. The word derives from “gnarl” meaning full of knots. And certainly, these are gnarly wizards!
This carving also makes me think of all the woodlands of my life, and how connected we can be to the power of trees to inspire us. The truth is trees are vital for our well-being, both due to their processing of oxygen, but also for the majesty and awe they inspire. How many of us had the joy in childhood of playing among trees? Either building forts, climbing them, or using their quiet to instill peace in our lives? I, for one, have done all these things. And on our property we have cared for Grandmother Willow – a fabulous, gnarled old willow tree that my children spent years climbing, creating twig crowns, and swinging from. Sadly, Grandmother has been dying of old age for years now, and I do not have the heart to cut her down, even though she is significantly dead – ok, honestly, at this point she is likely completely dead. But the tree offered our family so much joy I cannot part with her. Possibly I will need to find a “bark carver” in my area and have them harvest some bark to create a memory infused sculpture for Grandmother Willow to live on.
I think of the Disney movie “Pocahontas” with a Grandmother Willow as well as the book The Giving Tree and notice how these are tales which include the power of trees to speak about love, history and wisdom. In college I studied literature and poetry, and wrote poetry as well. One poem was about walking in the woods, but unfortunately, that specific poem seems to have gone missing. I do, however, remember the opening line: “I am a walker in the wood”.