John McLeod

About me:

Throughout human existence we have used stone and wood as media for communicating spiritual ideas—for representing needs and desires that bind communities together and tear them apart. It is in our nature to feel a connection to these simple materials of and from the earth. With this in mind, I use wood and stone to continue an ancient dialogue describing and exploring the human experience. Each stone and piece of wood I work with has its own story as well. On a trip to Africa I obtained ebony in Timbuktu. The heart pine beams I sculpt were originally the structural members of a sailing vessel. The basin and lid of a baptismal font I carved came from the bole of an ancient elm on the banks of the Tennessee River. With these histories, there is not simply a basic love for the raw materials but a unique bond with each piece. My methods for sculpting vary considerably. I may start with a study of the raw material, searching for the idea or spirit within a piece of stone or wood. At other times, I proceed from a specific idea that is completely detailed in sketches before any physical work begins. I use a wide variety of tools in my work, in part because stone and wood require different techniques. I start by roughing out the forms with heavy tools, progressing to hand chisels, gouges and rasps. As the forms are revealed, I may leave them in a rough-hewn state that exposes the essence of the material or grind and polish them to an extremely high finish. The result is a unique shape, form and texture inviting contemplation and discovery.