Mother and Baby
This "Mother And Child" was carved as part of the "Biodiversity Action Plan" launch in Caerphilly County Borough. It was made from a piece of Ash salvaged from a site that had been cleared for a housing development (not by my hand) in Cefn Hengoed.
This design I had initially intended to be carved in a stump (see Dragon), still standing in a woodland, rooted in the earth - a symbol of the regenerative powers of nature, and the nurture of the newborn, embraced in its mothers arms - as is our relationship with the earth. The natural inclusions in the child's side and head, and the crack in the chest of the mother adding weight to the symbolism of this piece - the child (us), sick in the stomach and the mind, the mother (earth), heart broken at our self destructive ways, the inclusions of rot in her knees symbolic of her struggle to support her greedy child.
The photos show the carving in development and finished, but not oiled. The last photo shows another "Mother & Child", rough carved at Senghenydd Community Festival.