Copper Canyon Sculpture
Wood Platter
Created by
Keoni Carlson
A richly colored, two-sided carved wood platter re-imagined to appear as woven and beaded basketry; intricate handmade detail with over 40,000 individual cuts/burns and colored cells. Ideally displayed as either a wall hanging, centerpiece, or tabletop sculpture. Each piece is unique with some variations. Hanger included.
With this piece from the Mesoamerican Heritage Series, artist Keoni Carlson honors the Copper Canyon region of northern Mexico and the rugged Sierra Madre mountains - and specifically the Tarahumara (Raramuri) people. Living in small communities often separated widely, the Tarahumara remain a deeply connected family network: proud, quiet and known worldwide for their distance running ability
This is the first of a new series by the artist, inspired by storytelling, imagery and the heritage of Mesoamerica: the civilizations of the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec, and Olmec, among others. The region and its indigenous cultures were of great complexity and importance, evolving separately from Europe and Asia. The advanced civilizations developed unique imagery, storytelling, science, and legend. Artwork in this series is of a color palette that reflects the sun-baked region, rich valleys, and stark rugged mountains. Geometric elements punctuate the canvas as reflective of each individual story-driven design.
The illusion carving technique traces back to sculpture of the Kamakura period in 12th century Japan. To create the piece, a block of sugar maple is spun on a lathe and turned to create the canvas. Spokes and rings are then individually carved. Following a resting period, the wood moisture content is stabilized at 7000' altitude at the artist's Colorado mountain home. Once seasoned, the artwork is moved from the wood shop to the finishing studio, where the design is burned onto the wood using 1/8 inch straight lines then colored with hand-applied India inks.
Not food or microwave safe; dust by hand. Keep out of direct sunlight.
With this piece from the Mesoamerican Heritage Series, artist Keoni Carlson honors the Copper Canyon region of northern Mexico and the rugged Sierra Madre mountains - and specifically the Tarahumara (Raramuri) people. Living in small communities often separated widely, the Tarahumara remain a deeply connected family network: proud, quiet and known worldwide for their distance running ability
This is the first of a new series by the artist, inspired by storytelling, imagery and the heritage of Mesoamerica: the civilizations of the Maya, Aztec, Zapotec, and Olmec, among others. The region and its indigenous cultures were of great complexity and importance, evolving separately from Europe and Asia. The advanced civilizations developed unique imagery, storytelling, science, and legend. Artwork in this series is of a color palette that reflects the sun-baked region, rich valleys, and stark rugged mountains. Geometric elements punctuate the canvas as reflective of each individual story-driven design.
The illusion carving technique traces back to sculpture of the Kamakura period in 12th century Japan. To create the piece, a block of sugar maple is spun on a lathe and turned to create the canvas. Spokes and rings are then individually carved. Following a resting period, the wood moisture content is stabilized at 7000' altitude at the artist's Colorado mountain home. Once seasoned, the artwork is moved from the wood shop to the finishing studio, where the design is burned onto the wood using 1/8 inch straight lines then colored with hand-applied India inks.
Not food or microwave safe; dust by hand. Keep out of direct sunlight.
Details
- Limited edition
- Signed by the artist
- Materials: Maple