Ben Carpenter - Contemporary Sculpture

My name is Ben Carpenter and I am a sylvan artist. This means I use a lathe and carving tools to shape wood. My goal is to create powerful objects imbued with my highest aesthetic. I see myself as both craftsman and artist. My sculptures stand alone in multiple orientations and are designed to be handled.

I have been around woodworking since I was born. My father is a carpenter and his fine craftsmanship has always been an inspiration to me. I began woodturning eight years ago under the guidance of my maestro, Jim Christiansen. Under his mentorship, I experimented with techniques and developed an intimate relationship with wood.

As an artist, I am currently interested in natural forms, specifically the patterns found in nature. I find plentiful inspiration in nature and enjoy spending my free time outdoors.

To compliment my natural themes and my love for the natural world, I salvage almost all of my wood. It comes from towns in the Pacific Northwest. There are many wonderful trees growing here including maple, walnut and black locust. I prefer to use highly figured, colorful wood.

I use many tools in my work: chainsaws, lathes, rotary carvers and meters of sandpaper. I employ a smoothing expert for the final stage of my sculptures. He is my friend, Cody Powell, and his attention to detail is integral to the finished product.

To contact this artist, please call 212-695-4074 or use the Contact form below.

Back