About me
Carving has an unexplainable way of soothing the mind. Following lines, focusing on form, telling a story. All the while the wood has its own story to tell. What attracts me to wood as a medium is this very story. It was alive. It brings its own history. As I sit and slice my blade through the timber, breathing the unmistakable terpene aroma, the timber tells you whether it was fast or slow growing. You can read the age of the tree by counting the annual rings. It even tells you the climatic conditions the tree experienced through the years, such as drought or high rainfall. It lets you know if it was influenced by factors such as wind or growing on a slope. Inclusions that could be wrought by fire, insects, animals, or a stray branch dropped from a neighbouring tree, causing a scar the tree healed around. It can show signs of epicormic growth, which while giving the timber nice figure, is a stress response from the tree. Many ancient cultures believed that trees have souls. Recent research has shown that via mycorrhizal networks trees can communicate and share nutrients. Trees can learn, count, and even make decisions. Maybe the connection these ancient cultures had to their environment allowed them see things that we could not explain until recently.
As my carving evolves, I too am evolving. In 2020 I was diagnosed with severe dissociative PTSD. My love of ancient history, mythology and philosophy has resulted in my incorporation of the myths from ancient Greece not only in my healing journey, but also in my carving. The stories have helped me both explore the human condition, and allowed me to relate my interpretation of these myths to my experience, encouraging self reflection, compassion and empathy not only to myself, but to others. This has inspired me to start a Women in Greek Mythology series. Over the next few years I will be carving a series of women from Greek myth. Each carving accompanied by short stories, letters or poems, bringing forth my interpretations to their stories in relation to my experiences. Hopefully these carvings will inspire something within you, so that you too may explore your experiences and take away your own interpretations.
Please view my Instagram account (@suzy_medwell) or facebook page (Grains of Chaos) for updates. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Acknowledgements and influences:
Chaos - Chaos was my German shorthaired pointer and best mate. During the years I suffered with undiagnosed PTSD Chaos kept me going. He is the reason I am still here today and is why my business is named for him.
Hape Kiddle - Hape's work astounds me on every level. Not only can he put forms in to being which make me say 'how the heck did you do that?' but his work speaks the universal languages of emotion and connection. I have been lucky to learn from Hape, taking multiple classes (see fish and weevil mushroom I carved during his class), doing a collaboration piece (see water vessel) and taking on his advice on how to set out a sculptural piece.
Glen Rundell and Pete Trott - Glen Rundell is the Aussie God of Windsor chairmaking. I have had the exciting opportunity to make some chairs under Glen and Pete Trott's instruction (see chair pics). Both are awesome blokes who have helped me learn techniques in green wood working and Windsor chair making. Five years ago I attended The Lost Trades fair, which Glen and his wife Lisa run every year. This fair inspired me and helped me realize my love for woodworking.
Peter Follansby and Olivia O'Conner - Olivia is a brilliant carver and rocking horse maker. Peter is a specialist in 17th century oak furniture. I have been fortunate enough to learn relief carving skills from both Peter and Olivia.
Amy Umbel - I was lucky enough to learn from Amy, whilst she was in Australia, the basics of wood carving and green woodworking. I discovered that green woodworking is more than craft, it is a culture. Her quilt patterns in some of her woodworking have such a wonderful story behind them.
Peter McCurley and Greg Hehir - These guys know wood! Really. I only know 0.1% maybe of what there is to know about wood. But all that knowledge has come from these guys.
FRV fire station 68 - This lot has to sit and witness me constantly read, draw and design new sculptures during down time on station. They have also been supportive to me through the years and I'm thankful to be part of such a fun crew.
Every day I carve is a learning experience. I am grateful for the guidance of the aformentioned artisians in providing me with techniques, skills, knowledge and general friendship. I'm hoping to continue to develop these skills throughout my career.