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Spirit of Squamish

Artist:
Ryan Cook
Year: 2021
Type: 
  • Sculpture
Medium(s): 
  • Wood
Status: In Place

Description

A face of a person, or spirit, with a long beard is carved into a dead tree along a trail, visible to bikers and walkers enjoying the trails.

Artist Statement

It’s the superstition that seeing a spirit’s face in the woods brings luck and good fortune that inspired me to create a face on a dead cedar tree along Squamish Valley Road by the landfill. I love the idea of the wise old man and then when I started carving it, I started to look for flow. There was no plan, other than I was going to do a face. I believe the Indigenous local lore, that if you breathe love into it, you bring it back to life.”

Ryan, known as the wild blonde-haired carver from HGTV & Netflix USA’s “Carver Kings,” began his carving journey as an apprentice on the television series “Saw Dogs.” He swiftly rose to prominence as one of the foremost names in the world of Chainsaw Carving.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ryan carves full-time. He turned professional in 2013, clinching First Place at the Campbell River Carving Competition, repeating his victory in 2017 along with the People’s Choice award. He’s earned top spots in various competitions, including the People’s Choice award at the Chetwynd World Championships in 2018. Despite only eight years of carving experience, Ryan has made remarkable strides. He’s the first Canadian sponsored by Echo Canada, Cannon Bar Works, Makita Power Tools, Saburrtooth, and Pfanner.

Location

Address:
45001, Squamish Valley Road, Squamish, British Columbia, V0N 1H0, Canada.

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