By Sarah Stone

PHOTOS: Log carving art exhibit showcases nature

Sep 16, 2014 | 12:17 PM

It’s an art exhibit meant to take you back to nature.

Currently at the John V. Hicks Gallery in the Prince Albert Arts Centre, three artists are showcasing their work.

Passersby on Central Ave. may have noticed some of their pieces as two large mask log carvings are posted on the steps of the building.

Kevin Bendig, 41, is one the artists involved. He said the log is from Big River and was cut into two pieces.

Douglas Lingelbach, also known as Doug Tree according to Bendig, is the artist of the second carving. Both mean live in Big River and Bendig said he learned everything from Lingelbach.

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“We all live in the forest, so we have it around us and that’s what we use to create our art,” he said.

Bendig has been a painter for many years and decided to give log carving a try.

“I find when you run a chainsaw it’s a little more tactile and carving is, rather than the two-dimensional painting it’s a little bit more, I don’t know, substantial. It’s has a more substantial feeling when you’re creating it and when you’re viewing it.”

This exhibition called “Transformation” is mainly comprised of masks. Bendig said one of his favourite works is a four-piece collection that reflects the growth of an individual into an adult and the role humans have in the world.

Bendig lived in Asia for many years before moving back to Saskatchewan and he said this latest collection of his is an amalgamation of an aboriginal influence as well as his Asian one.

Lingelbach’s pieces reflect the spirit of the forest, Bendig described.

The third and final artist in the exhibition is Elsie Hartnett who Bendig said is a painter that pulls inspiration form the Ness Creek area.

“I hope they take away a sense of awe and see the forest as something more than a green tree,” he said.

Each piece of artwork has its own story and significance, he said adding on Sept. 20 all the artists will be at the gallery to give backgrounds to each piece.

“The forest is our mother. The forest is kind of like the hair of the planet, kind of thing. The forest provides all for us and most of the wood that we use is just found wood. We don’t go and cut down a tree to make our art it’s just everything that we find or it’s already been cut,” he said.

“We’re just using the forest and trying show value added to the forest rather than just a commodity to make a home with.”

Also at the Sept. 20 event, the artists are bring in a drummer who will be doing a “transformation dance” during the evening. 

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84