What is Wood Carving?

Whether it’s taking a workshop in a local craft store or listening to ASMR of someone sculpting a block of timber into a cute capybara on TikTok, most of society has been exposed to this craft called wood carving. This historic art form has caught the public’s attention numerous times, be it during the 1700s or the Roaring 20s. But what is it really? Is it merely just cutting into a wooden block, or is it something far more complex? 

Defined by Alexander Grabovetskiy’s School of Wood Carving, wood carving is the art of shaping and detailing wood with the use of specific tools in order to create intricate designs and forms. Wood carving can turn an ordinary piece of lumber into remarkable art, from something considered dead to something alive. Through their own works, these artists have been able to convey stories, express emotions, and preserve traditions from history for the ages to come. Every piece is different from the other, each with their own meanings and flaws. In contrast to many other crafts, wood carving stands out due to its direct involvement with sculpting a solid material to reveal gorgeous motifs and forms. By removing fragments from a block, wood carving uncovers the hidden beauty within the material. Wood carving has existed for centuries, surpassing our ancestors and history’s biggest events. However, this craft is at risk of extinction due to modern-day challenges. But to be able to comprehend this problem, one must understand how it all started. 

Wood carving is one of humankind’s oldest forms of art, with its origins tracing back to the Stone Age. The early humans used wood for practical purposes, carving the material into tools and utensils. Over time, wood carving evolved into an art form, used for decorative and artistic expression. Since then, wood has become an art material that is utilized to make sculptures, paintings, and other beautiful artifacts. During this point in time, people had embellished complex carvings onto their furniture, tombs, and even temples. Oftentimes said carvings depicted gods, heroes, and other mythological figures of that era, creating artifacts with religious and cultural context. The craft then flourished during the Middle Ages as a crucial element of architectural designs, particularly in cathedrals and churches. Wood carving reached its peak in the Renaissance era. Expert Renaissance artisans added to the majesty of cathedrals and churches by carving intricate altarpieces, choir stalls, and wooden panels. Wood carving was then integrated with other artistic disciplines, such as paintings, to create breathtaking masterpieces that have solidified their places in art history textbooks. The art form underwent major development throughout the Industrial Revolution as a result of equipment that allowed for mass production and standardized designs. However, amidst the rise in mechanization, a group of artists and craftsmen arose, advocating for the preservation of traditional methods and reviving interest in wood carving as a type of fine art. Years later, in the 20th century, wood carvers experimented with abstract shapes, unusual materials, and innovative carving techniques as a means of including modernity into the art form. This development in wood carving throughout history proves the significance of the craft, with well-known artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo creating their own wooden masterpieces. Fortunately enough, expert conservators have been able to preserve some of history’s greatest wooden art even to this day, providing the world with a proper glimpse into the history of wood art. 

Across the ages, wood carvings and sculptures have caught the eyes of millions. With the precise talent of the wood carvers and the masterly preservation skills of the conservators, the works of the artists have gained immense traction from the public. For example, we have the Shigir Idol. All the way from the beautiful country of Egypt, this statue is the oldest known wooden sculpture in the world. Estimated to be around 11,500 years old, it even predates the Great Pyramid of Giza by thousands of years. The sculpture was found at the bottom of a peat bog in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1894, made from the 12,250-year-old trunk of a larch tree. Based on a 2021 article from ScienceAlert, this research indicated that the statue was carved at the end of the last Ice Age and the beginning of the current geological epoch, the Holocene. The figure was first found in 10 pieces, though it was then revealed that the wood carving would have towered 5.3 meters tall when it was first created. The Shigir Idol portrays a human figure, including human faces and hands, as well as a variety of geometric shapes, such as zigzag patterns, engraved into the sculpture. Numerous markings on the statue resemble those that were carved into the enormous stone ruins at the Neolithic archeological site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey. However, according to Science Magazine, this was a common artistic phenomenon that started when the last Ice Age was coming to an end. Researchers speculated about the true purpose of this figure. Some suggest that it was used for ancient rituals or that the carved faces might have depicted “encoded mythologies”, with the vertical arrangement maybe symbolizing a hierarchy or series of events. No matter its intended purpose, the figure gives an opportunity for researchers to theorize the reasons why wood sculptures were crafted back then. Nowadays, the Shigir Idol is located at the Sverdlovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where it sits on display for the public to admire and be inspired by. 

Though this spectacular artistic discipline has had its prime moments, I’m afraid that the craft will soon end if cautionary measures are not taken seriously. In an era of AI art and robots for waiters, people nowadays prefer the production of modernized products rather than traditional ones. According to research by Zainab Choudhry and Dr. Bushra Nadeem, there has been a significant rise in manufactured furniture, resulting in a drop in the demand for antique wooden objects and art. The Industrial Revolution had brought upon machine-made goods into the world, making it difficult for handcrafted items, including wooden carvings and sculptures, to compete in the market. Including other factors, primarily price and availability, the art industry struggled throughout this time. And although this problem was resolved with renewed interest in the 20th century, some consumers still stuck by these machine-made goods due to their quick production and cheap prices. Because of this, others began to not see the value within these individually handmade and carved pieces and instead opted for a trending product that will most likely end up in a waste disposal site months later. (Disappearing Heritage: Promotion and Preservation of Indian Folk Art, 2025). Additionally, carvers fear that newer generations will not take a serious interest in taking up the craft. An interview with the owner of Keng Hwa Carving Studio, Tong Wing Cheong, conducted by BASKL (Bandar Aktiviti Seni Kuala Lumpur), revealed that fewer apprentices are working under existing local wood carvers. In another interview from the National Audubon Society with wildlife wood carver Gary Eigenberger, he stated that he and his fellow carvers worry that since these carvers are growing older, not enough young people will commit to this demanding art form whose collectors are dwindling and selling their artworks. As a consequence of these circumstances, the wood carving service is declining, resulting in a critical risk of extinction for the industry. 

Today, wood carving still remains a dynamic art form, expressing and celebrating individual creativity as well as cultural heritage. It’s a way for one to establish connections with art, nature, and history. Wood carving is constantly changing its craft as carvers embrace newer methods and styles, while still preserving traditional techniques. The art of wood carving will forever evolve, and there is no denying that. 

Truthfully, there is uncertainty about where this industry will go. Compared to this modern era we are currently living in, most will probably think that this field will soon go under. But there is still hope. With the help of social media, wood carvers have been able to showcase and promote their artworks to the world. As a result, more and more people have gotten to know this craft, and even pursue it. These wood carvers pour their heart and soul into their creations, always crafting with such great passion. Legacies that have lasted for decades have been built upon this specific artistic field. It would be a great shame if this industry were to just disappear due to society’s rapid change in trends. So, this is my message to you. Support your local artists and craftsmen. Go take a sewing class. Do not let this historic craft fade away in favor of your robots. And as always, appreciate the art that we have today. You never know when it’ll be the last time. 

References 

Grabovetskiy, A. (2024, August 29). What is he meaning of wood carving? best wood for carving. Grabovetskiy School of Wood Carving. https://schoolofwoodcarving.com/wood-carving-posts/what-is-the-meaning-of-wood-carving/ 

Santos, R. (2023, October 19). Woodcarving sculpture: From ancient origins to contemporary expressions - cerdeira. Aldeia de Xisto Cerdeira - Alojamento. https://www.cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com/our-blog/2023/10/19-woodcarving-sculpture-history 

Wood in the history of art. LEGNOART. (n.d.). https://www.legnoart.com/wood-in-the-history-of-art/ 

Wood carving: Info and tips. JCCFS. (2024, August 26). https://www.folkschool.org/2024/08/26/wood-carving-info-and-tips/ 

Nalewicki, J. (2024, June 7). Shigir Idol: World’s oldest wood sculpture has mysterious carved faces and once stood 17 feet tall. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/shigir-idol-worlds-oldest-wood-sculpture-has-mysterious-carved-faces-and-once-stood-17-feet-tall 

Starr, M. (2021, March 23). The world’s oldest known wooden statue is over 7,000 years older than Stonehenge. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/the-world-s-oldest-known-wooden-statue-is-even-older-than-we-thought&#:~:text=This%20wooden%20figurative%20statue%20with%20a%20number,bog%20in%20the%20Ural%20Mountains%20in%20Russia 

Curry, A. (2018, April 25). This 11,000-year-old statue unearthed in Siberia may reveal ancient views of taboos and demons | science | AAAS. science.org. https://www.science.org/content/article/11000-year-old-statue-unearthed-siberia-may-reveal-ancient-views-taboos-and-demons 

Choudhry, Z., & Naseem, B. (2025). Disappearing heritage: Promotion and preservation of Indian folk art. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v13.i2.2025.5945 

Wheeler, K. (2020, October 22). Its heyday long past, wildlife wood carving looks to broaden its appeal. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/its-heyday-long-past-wildlife-wood-carving-looks-broaden-its-appeal#:~:text=Eigenberger%20has%20been%20able%20to,going%20to%20go%20with%20it

hey guys!! i’m back with a new post! this time i wanted to explore a topic i didn’t know much about, so that’s why this entry is not heavily centered around Indonesia. however one day i might try to research about Indonesian wood carvings! that is all from me today. hope you enjoyed reading!!