A few days ago I took a trip into Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Getting there by public transport is not easy. The journey includes a change of bus at Ripon, with a wait of over an hour between services, but it did enable me to visit the Spa Gardens in Ripon, where there is a new artwork.
Chainsaw carvings of characters from Lewis Carroll’s evergreen story "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" have been created. Harrogate Borough Council commissioned chainsaw artist Mick Burns from Lincoln to create the carvings using the trunks of thinned out cypress trees, and the result was unveiled towards the end of 2013.
I wasn't aware of a connection between Lewis Carroll and Ripon, but it seems that Lewis Carroll - real name Charles Lutwidge Hodgson - was a regular visitor to Ripon during his father’s time as the cathedral’s canon in residence.
Legend has it that the inspiration for the famous stories came from the time Carroll spent as a choirboy in Ripon Cathedral. He would stare at the cathedral’s animal carvings whilst rehearsing or singing, and it is said that the idea of Alice following White Rabbit down his hole came from a tunnel leading to the cathedral’s underground crypt.
Great capture of this beautiful chain saw art. I know it because it has be done here to. Love it even more as there is a tale for it Thank you for you kind wishes , same in return
Oh wow, that is amazing, what a wonderful way to celebrate the link between Lewis Carroll and Ripon. Great work by the chainsaw artist and beautifully captured.
Great carvings in this old tree. Nicely photographed and presented in this collage. Lewis Carroll has sparked much art from his characters around the world. It is interesting how different artists produce so many different interpretations in different media.
Thank you Bob, and I agree, there is quite a lot of art work linked to Lewis Carroll - there is a nice sculpture linked to Alice in Wonderland in Llandudno, North Wales, for example.
Thank you Therese, and thank you for the fav! I didn't know about the Ripon connection with Alice in Wonderland until I researched the background to this sculpture.
Thank you JulieCo - it was only created late last year.
Ian
Thank you Graham, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Cindy, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Brian - it's quite an attractive set of carvings.
Ian
Thank you Ivan - it was a fascinating subject to photograph.
Ian
Thank you Padlock, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Jan - it was a fascinating set of carvings to photograph.
Ian
Thank you Ferry - it's fascinating to see what can be created with a chain saw.
Ian
Thank you Dianne - I always find it interesting to research the background to what we photograph.
Ian
Thank you Lynne, it was a lovely subject for photography.
Ian
Thank you Shepherdman, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Bob, and I agree, there is quite a lot of art work linked to Lewis Carroll - there is a nice sculpture linked to Alice in Wonderland in Llandudno, North Wales, for example.
Ian
Thank you Tony, and thank you for the fav!
Ian
Thank you Steve and Pam - it would be fascinating to see how these carvings are created.
Ian
Thank you Rose, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Lizzy - my stop in Wonderland (Ripon) was quite rewarding! Thank you for the fav too!
Ian
Thank you Therese, and thank you for the fav! I didn't know about the Ripon connection with Alice in Wonderland until I researched the background to this sculpture.
Ian