Wood Sculptures Depict Relationship Between Humans and Nature

The latest works of Italian contemporary sculptor Christian Verginer explore the relationship between people and nature. Working with linden or lime wood, he meticulously carves out human figures and then his witty application of acrylic paint and details imbue the pieces with a deeper meaning.

Christian Verginer Wood Sculptures

Together but alone (detail), 2019, lime wood and acrylic paint

Christian Verginer Wood Sculptures employ the centuries’ old Dolomite tradition of wood-carving the human figure by hand, but the final pieces are infused with a modern aesthetic and subtext.

Verginer’s wood-carving process, images courtesy of @christianverginer
Result of process shown above: What Happens Next III, 2018, lime wood and acrylic paint

It is clear the artist has a deep affection for plants and trees and in many of his sculptures, the human is depicted as protecting or nurturing nature.

After the prank, 2020, lime wood and acrylic paint
After the prank (detail), 2020, lime wood and acrylic paint
Ticking grass, 2020, 71 cm tall, linden wood and acrylic paint
Together but alone, 2019, lime wood and acrylic paint
The Life Inside V, linden wood and acrylic paint
Empty Nests, 2018, linden wood and acrylic paint

The symbiosis between his subjects goes so far that, in several pieces, the two become one.

wood sculpting
Whatever Whenever, 2018, linden wood and acrylic paint
christian verginer sculptures
Evergreen, 2018, linden wood and acrylic paint
New Life, 2019, linden wood and acrylic paint
Metamorphosis, 2019, linden wood and acrylic paint
The Tree in Me III, 2019, (full and detail), linden wood and acrylic paint

Other pieces suggest that human and nature are at odds.

Hungry and Angry, 2018, linden wood and acrylic paint
Where are my friends II, linden wood and acrylic paint
The scream of the forest, linden wood and acrylic paint

About the artist:
Christian Verginer was born in 1982 in Bressanone, Italy. His expressionist sculptures are considered to be some the most unique on the scene today. His formal training began with attending the sculpture department of the art school of Ortisei, and then he continued studying sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Carrara.

For his latest works, Verginer looks at the relationship between humankind and nature. In these works, he ventures far from the submission and agitation towards nature expressed by German Caspar David Friedrich almost three centuries ago. Instead Verginer evokes a loving and caring attitude towards nature, kindling feelings of empathy and protection.

The changing motives in the works promote respectful, harmonious relations at times, and then at others reveal the relationship to be of a cold greedy master of resources. Nonetheless, the best definition of Christian Verginer’s works can be found in the words of the German painter, Friedrich, when he says that: “the artist’s soul and sensitivity are what need to be reflected in nature. Recognising, penetrating, welcoming and reproducing the spirit of nature with the whole heart and soul is therefore, the task of a work of art. (artists bio, courtesy of Kirk Gallery)

image shown at top: What Happens Next III (detail), 2018

See more of his wonderful work here

Follow him on instagram @christianverginer

all images courtesy of the artist

See the other Wood Sculptors we’ve featured here