Wood sculptures are something that has been introduced previously. However, this artist, Jeffro Uitto, who goes by the name “Knock on Wood” on social media, manages to bend wood to his imagination in such a unique way that it does not even begin to compare to others. Using various pieces of wood, mostly found on the Washington State, USA beaches, Jeffro creatively transforms them into sculptures that most often depict animals – horses, eagles, rhinos, and lions, among many others.
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“On the Washington coast, there’s a place where nature’s leftovers get a second chance at stardom. The place is Knock on Wood, and [I am] the artist making the magic happen.” – says Uitto on his website. When starting a sculpture, Uitto has an initial idea of what will be done but adapts as the work progresses. He never knows exactly what will result from his position.
Jeffo says that since he was a child, he liked collecting wood, especially driftwood that had patterns beaten into them by the waves. Although driftwood is hard, it is almost as if it has emotions of its own that bring inspiration to the artist. Through his driftwood creations, the artist wants to emphasize that each object has its own ‘life. A life that can be conveyed as a piece of art.
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Most of Jeffro’s tools are handmade by the artist, which is often surprising for visitors who stumble across his shop near the historic Tokeland Hotel. However, once you get to know the artist better, you realize that the custom tools are not surprising and are expected. Jeffro Uitto is an artist who burns hot with an inextinguishable passion for his craft, and his sculptures attest to that.
“It’s real nature-inspired, the love, curiosity for the subjects, and the infinity of materials. It’s humbling to see how many people connect with the work. It’s also important to bring attention to these animals, their mysterious beauty, and the extinction they face.” – said the artist to Bored Panda. Scroll down and see for yourself!
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