Wednesday 17 August 2016

Uno’s Wooden Animals

After our lunch at the Old Mill last Sunday, we also went to visit another very special museum (Unos Djur / Uno’s Animals) out in the countryside (village called Bredared); showing the works of a local wood carving artist, Uno Axelsson (1922-2002).

CIMG9175

CIMG9177

On the TV screen, they show a documentary where the (very humble) artist himself talks about his work.

DSC_0654

Uno was a farmer and did not take up wood carving as a hobby until he was in his 50’s; but after having retired from farming, he continued to make more and more advanced sculptures. From 1975 until 2002 when he passed away, he created approximately 250 sculptures. He never sold any of his works. Some were given as presents to family and friends, but the rest he collected in the barn at his farm. Rumor spread, and people found their way there to look and admire.

After his death, his works were all donated to the local history society. They arranged a permanent museum in a separate building near the old village hall, where these fantastic animal sculptures are now being shown. In the humble spirit of the creator, they are still keeping things simple. The place is only kept open to the public a couple of days a week in the summer season, and the rest of the time they only take group bookings.

My brother and I visited the place once before, back in 2010. Our aunt and uncle had never been to see it, though; and we were of course happy to revisit the place with them. (Lucky for us, Sunday is one of the days they’re open!)

CIMG9178

CIMG9198

CIMG9182

When Uno first started doing his artistic woodwork, it was primarily bowls, following the natural shape of odd-looking pieces of wood; then he began to carve animal heads on the edges of bowls; and from there went on to do bigger sculptures.

CIMG9187

CIMG9197

CIMG9190
(This snail is HUGE – compare the 3rd photo from the top.)

Uno’s art was often made from nodules obstinately growing against the grain. Large knots and gnarly trunks are typical pieces that inspired his fantasy. Most of his sculptures were made out of one single piece of wood.

CIMG9194

CIMG9185

DSC_0657

Except for the horns, the cow (more or less natural size), was carved out of one huge piece of oak – which is a very heavy kind of wood. After he had finished the shape of it, he hollowed out the inside to make the sculpture somewhat lighter.

DSC_0658
This sow with piglets is natural size too.

CIMG9181

The eyes on the sculptures are not glass but were painted with water colours and lacquered to be made shiny and life-like.

CIMG9188

 

CIMG9205

▲The entrance to the village hall,
and a small outbuilding nearby.▼

CIMG9202

CIMG9204

And an old cart filled with flowers to welcome visitors.

10 comments:

  1. He was wonderful! How gifted. He really captured the spirit of these animals. I love the owls, and the otters. The snail's shell is as smooth as glass. And the piggies are adorable; they actually look real! And the cat looking down at the clock is almost Alice In Wonderland like. WHY don't they keep it open more often? Perhaps they cannot afford to pay workers every day...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginny, this museum is in a remote spot in the countryside. I also suspect it's probably run by volunteer members of the local history society.

      Delete
  2. These are truly amazing, wonderful work! I can't decide which one I like most - the squirrel? Or the family of owls? The otter or the life-size cow? Impossible to say!
    Thank you for sharing these with us, Monica, and how good you caught the museum on one of its few open days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meike, I had checked the opening hours in advance on their website, of course. :)

      Delete
  3. these are absolutely amazing. wish i could see them in person. I tried to pick a favorite but each time I scrolled down they were even more amazing. i love them ALL.... he was a super talented man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He certainly was, Sandra - and each piece obviously created with "true love" :)

      Delete
  4. I didn't remember the previous post until I saw the pigs. Then I had to go to the 2010 post to confirm it. They are absolutely wonderful. I love things made of wood and of silver (gold doesn't interest me anywhere near as much) and these are a real pleasure to my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love wood art too, Graham. When we first visited the museum in 2010 it had only recently been opened (the year before). I suppose I learned about it from the local newspaper.

      Delete

Communication is what makes blogging fun :)
... but all spam or suspected spam will be deleted.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...