Creating chainsaw art figures

2024-10-06 09:25:00, Kulturë CNA

What can be called art? This is an age-old question with many answers. An art form can be paintings on canvas, ceramics or sculptures. So art can be anything, it can even be created with a chainsaw. This is the opinion of an artist from the American state of Virginia, with whom Voice of America correspondent Maxim Adams recently spoke.

Andrew Mallon is turning old tree trunks into works of art with his chainsaw.

He has created over 150 wooden sculptures, most of which are in the parks and private yards of his neighbors in northern Virginia.

Mr Mallon says his aim is to bring the places to life and add a bit of magic to them.

“Every time I complete a project, you can see the impact it has on a neighborhood or community around it. They bring people a lot of joy!” he says.

Jeannie Reimers says Mr. Mallon is helping her transform her yard.

"Because of these wires, the electric company only cut one side of this tree. So one of the workers told me I should cut it. I refused and sent a picture to Mr. Mellon. He told me he allowed them to cut the tree from above, and then I'll come talk to you!", she says.

"On this tree will create a flock of five or six sparrows," he says.

Mr. Mallon says he started woodworking in 2012. At the time, he was working as a carpenter and in his spare time he started carving small figurines from old pencils. Then he decided to create larger wooden sculptures and bought a chainsaw.

"Chainsaw carving is kind of like brain surgery. You have to be really careful with everything you do, you have to really control this big machine," he says.

Today he works with 10 different chainsaws, milling machines, presses and chisels. Mr. Mallon says he does 90% of the work with a chainsaw. He starts work with a chainsaw and then uses smaller tools to create wooden sculptures.

In 2016, Mr. Mallon founded a company called "AM Sculptures" and his passion has turned into a business. His wooden sculptures now fetch between $3,000 and $5,000.

His talent has become known in the world and he has participated in numerous competitions and in a television show of the "Discovery" channel, called "A Cut Above", where 12 artists fought for victory.

"The world of chainsaw carving has created many opportunities for me."

Mr Mallon says he is doing what he likes and has become an important part of the community.

“I built a really big castle years ago in a corner lot of someone's house. "The children now go there every day and play with small wooden figurines," he says.

In the future, Mr. Mallon dreams of creating a sculpture garden, where visitors will be able to see all his works in one place./ VOA