Most who have any connection with me and my studio are well aware of the remarkable story behind this behemoth log pictured above that was obtained for the Jeremy & Debby Allen commissions, "Frontier" and "Threshold" 2003 thru 2006. This 22,000 lb log was from a 325+ year old English Brown Oak that grew and died on the Duke of Northumberland's Estate near his ancestral seat, Alnwick Castle in England. The cause of the tree's death was a lifelong struggle with a beefsteak mushroom infestation that spanned centuries. The valiant way this tree fought to survive the last 200 years of its long life is stunningly apparent in its amazing burl figure. The work depicted below was created from the last remains of this historic and extraordinary tree whose final gesture was to provide the raw materials for its rebirth through this powerful new creation.
This final full slab from the English Burl tree I have named "Resurrection". Bringing this last portion of the tree back to life has taken 8+ months of very intensive care and surgery by myself, Jeffry, and my two journeymen, Robert Spiece and Eoin O'Neill (an Englishmen himself)
Pictured below is a representation of the work that went into the show stopping center piece to be exhibited at PIFS 2009 Show on March 27, 28, 29, 2009. Click on the above show logo for complete show information.
Click on any thumbnail image below to enlarge:
August / September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009 (move to 6 day work week to finish by show time)
February 2009
March 2009
Please Join us at the 2010 Philadelphia Invitational Furniture Show
March 27, 28, 2010
For Complete Show Information
See:
http://www.philaifs.com/
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