Wood sculptures have been around for a long time, but Jeffro Uitto, known as “Knock on Wood” on social media, takes wood bending to a whole new level. His unique approach to transforming various pieces of wood, mostly found on the beaches of Washington State, USA, into stunning sculptures sets him apart from others. His creations often depict animals such as horses, eagles, rhinos, lions, and many more.
“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 begins with an initial idea but adapts as the work progresses. He never knows exactly what the final result will be. Since he was a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Uitto has been fascinated by collecting wood, especially driftwood with patterns shaped by the waves. Despite its hardness, driftwood seems to have its own emotions that inspire the artist. Through his unique artworks, Uitto aims to emphasize that each object has its own “life” that can be conveyed as a work of art.
Surprisingly, most of Jeffro’s tools are handmade by the artist himself, which often surprises visitors who stumble upon his shop near the historic Tokeland Hotel. However, once you get to know the artist better, you realize that not only are the custom tools not surprising, but they are actually expected. It is evident that Jeffro Uitto is an artist who burns hot with an extinguishable passion for his wood art, and his sculptures attest to that.
“It’s really nature-inspired, the love and curiosity for the subjects and the infinity of materials. It’s really humbling to see how many people connect with these sculpture artworks. It’s also important to bring attention to these animals, their mysterious beauty, and the extinction they face,” said the artist to Bored Panda.
Jeffro Uitto’s ability to transform wood into captivating sculptures demonstrates his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 as an artist and his dedication to raising awareness about the natural world. Through his work, he invites viewers to appreciate the beauty of nature and contemplate the importance of preserving it for future generations.
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