A memory of summer, the Caerleon wood carvers festival.
The bunting was out and the posters festooned the streets of Caerleon, a festival atmosphere was palpable. It was the yearly Caerleon outdoor Arts festival. Caerleon is a pretty suburban village that lies on the northern fringes of not so pretty Newport on the South Wales coast, just a short hop across the bridge from Bristol. Each year woodcarvers from Wales and the West gather, to carve up large chunks of oak tree. Carvings from previous years have been retained and are scattered around the village. Caerleon was an important Roman settlement, it has a number of ruins including an amphitheatre. Some believe that King Arthur held court here. Many of the sculptures reference these historical connections and you will see an assortment of legionnaires, Arthurian figures and dragons scattered around the village.
This year’s theme was the humble ‘sheep’. It’s believed that the Welsh have an unhealthy preoccupation with sheep, so the festival organizers decided to grasp the nettle and place the fellas centre stage – great idea. On the sheep theme - it was once recommended to me (if so predisposed) - to position a sheep on the edge of a cliff and approach from behind, clasp the rear firmly and sink your nails in - you will achieve purchase like you have never known. Apart from sheep sculptures there were to be lots of (legal) sheep related activities including: the cooking of lamb dishes and wool making. There was even a small paddock with a group of the fellas themselves looking in on proceedings. Perhaps they were offering baas of approval.
This event takes place in open fields. On arrival I was greeted by a cacophony of sounds including: chainsaws, the live band and the sheep bleeting. A wonderful din. My first encounter was with Jim, a stone carver! He was fighting the good fight and valiantly attempting to carve an angel from a small block of sandstone. Progress looked rather painful. Doubtless the angel would make a triumphant entrance at some point. Not quite sure what he was doing at a wood carving festival but he was an interesting and pleasant guy.
The point of a wood carving festival is that you get to see art being made. I think there is a real fascination in watching an artist at work and seeing the emergence of a sculpture. A magic transformation takes place between wood and finished sculpture.
These wood carving guys are wonderful characters. They are creatures of nature that are as seasoned, knotted and rich in grain as the wood they fashion. Tom ‘Carver’ Harvey based in Gloucestershire is a full time sculptor who produces private and public commissions. He comes from a fine art background and has worked in forestry for several years. There is a circuit that these boys travel around that includes Westonbirt Arboretum and Cwmaman. Local boy Dai Edwards was creating a Rams horn by piecing together cross-sections of tree. He tells me that oak is the preferred wood because of its durability in outside conditions and it should be remembered that in the main these sculptures are shown externally. John divides his time between wood carving and forestry management. What is quite obvious is that these guys have a deep bond and understanding of this natural material.
The tool of their trade is the chainsaw. Which you might think is rather coarse and unforgiving tool. These guys handle their chainsaws with as much finesse as a brush, flicking and sweeping lightly to create their marks. A chainsaw is a powerful but dangerous tool that has to be handled with the utmost care. Unlikely a combination as it might sound this is truly ‘macho art’. A really nice festival, relaxed, family orientated and down to earth - well worth a visit. Also take in some of the local historical sites if you come along to next year’s festival.
This year’s theme was the humble ‘sheep’. It’s believed that the Welsh have an unhealthy preoccupation with sheep, so the festival organizers decided to grasp the nettle and place the fellas centre stage – great idea. On the sheep theme - it was once recommended to me (if so predisposed) - to position a sheep on the edge of a cliff and approach from behind, clasp the rear firmly and sink your nails in - you will achieve purchase like you have never known. Apart from sheep sculptures there were to be lots of (legal) sheep related activities including: the cooking of lamb dishes and wool making. There was even a small paddock with a group of the fellas themselves looking in on proceedings. Perhaps they were offering baas of approval.
This event takes place in open fields. On arrival I was greeted by a cacophony of sounds including: chainsaws, the live band and the sheep bleeting. A wonderful din. My first encounter was with Jim, a stone carver! He was fighting the good fight and valiantly attempting to carve an angel from a small block of sandstone. Progress looked rather painful. Doubtless the angel would make a triumphant entrance at some point. Not quite sure what he was doing at a wood carving festival but he was an interesting and pleasant guy.
The point of a wood carving festival is that you get to see art being made. I think there is a real fascination in watching an artist at work and seeing the emergence of a sculpture. A magic transformation takes place between wood and finished sculpture.
These wood carving guys are wonderful characters. They are creatures of nature that are as seasoned, knotted and rich in grain as the wood they fashion. Tom ‘Carver’ Harvey based in Gloucestershire is a full time sculptor who produces private and public commissions. He comes from a fine art background and has worked in forestry for several years. There is a circuit that these boys travel around that includes Westonbirt Arboretum and Cwmaman. Local boy Dai Edwards was creating a Rams horn by piecing together cross-sections of tree. He tells me that oak is the preferred wood because of its durability in outside conditions and it should be remembered that in the main these sculptures are shown externally. John divides his time between wood carving and forestry management. What is quite obvious is that these guys have a deep bond and understanding of this natural material.
The tool of their trade is the chainsaw. Which you might think is rather coarse and unforgiving tool. These guys handle their chainsaws with as much finesse as a brush, flicking and sweeping lightly to create their marks. A chainsaw is a powerful but dangerous tool that has to be handled with the utmost care. Unlikely a combination as it might sound this is truly ‘macho art’. A really nice festival, relaxed, family orientated and down to earth - well worth a visit. Also take in some of the local historical sites if you come along to next year’s festival.