Tryakshara Ganapati in Delightful Disposition. Brass Sculpture

Ganesha in Indian art. Ganesha is a popular religious figure in Indian art. He is portrayed standing, dancing, taking action against demons, though having a playful behavior. Ganesha has the head of an elephant and a human body with a big belly. He has four arms, sometimes more. Ganesha carries various weapons, but is not known to have ever used them. The earliest known stone statue of Ganesha with an inscription dated to 531, found in northern China. In Japan the Ganesha cult was first mentioned in 806. Statues of Ganesha are found in Hindu art of Java, Bali, Borneo, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand. 5th century image of Ganesha was found at Gardez, Afghanistan. In Buddhist Thailand, Ganesha is regarded as a remover of obstacles, the god of success.
More »

‘American Jacket’ Carved wood & mixed media, 2010. Hyperrealistic wood carving by Fraser Smith

The art technique creating the optical illusion is known as Trompe-l’oeil. American wood carver from Florida Fraser Smith has mastered this technique to perfection. Hyperrealistic wood carving by Fraser Smith is so deceiving that viewers when looking at these sculptures, can not believe it’s not a real cloth. The artist himself says – “I might be the only person in the world that does what I do, but there’s probably a really good reason for that”. At each exhibition he is dealing with the same cry: “Wow, is it really made ​​of wood?”. Yes, it is – Fraser carves all his works from the soft wood stains and oil paints. Fraser himself believes, that it is not even accurate simulation of textile, but simply human psychology. Coming to the exhibition the viewer sees the jacket and automatically thinks about it as a jacket made of textile, nothing else. But when they find out that it is a wood painted clothing, the brains reconfigures, and here comes the surprise.
More »

Dry trees carved sculpture in Simferopol, Russia. Art work by Crimean self-taught artist Igor Dzheknovarov

Crimean self-taught artist wood carver Igor Dzheknovarov adorns his native city – Simferopol with statues of people, gods and angels, which he cuts from the dry trees. The master woodcarver admits that he stopped counting his art pieces after the first three dozens of sculptures. The tallest of them reaches 5 m, and there is a composition of 10-12 wooden pieces. Popularity came to Dzheknovarov not immediately, because for more than six years instead of old dry trees appeared statues in different parts of the city, as anonymous. During this time, the city has changed beyond recognition, many wonderful wooden sculptures do not leave anyone indifferent. Interest in the mysterious master increased after the public have learnt about the creator of these beautiful works of art – Simferopol wood carver Igor Dzheknovarov.
More »