wooden relief carving

This wooden relief carving takes ocean currents and whirlpools as its central imagery, capturing the fluidity and impermanence of water. The undulating curves intertwine, weaving a pattern that appears orderly yet remains ever-changing—much like the workings of the world, governed by laws yet filled with unpredictable transformations. Whirlpools emerge within the currents, both converging and dispersing, symbolizing life's cyclical nature and individuals' rise and fall within the river of time.

Shapeless yet all-encompassing, the sea molds everything in its path; its movement is both gentle and devouring. Through the natural grain of the wood and the interplay of depth in the carving, this piece conveys the fleeting, shifting nature of ocean currents, hinting at the transience of the world and the endless flow of life. In this ever-moving existence, we are specks of dust within the waves—small yet inseparable from the current. The only constant is the ceaseless motion itself.

This wooden relief carving takes the oasis as its central theme, portraying the miracle of life within the vast desert. Rolling dunes surround a tranquil water source, symbolizing hope and refuge. In an expansive and desolate world, humans are like wandering travelers, struggling through endless sands, yearning for a sanctuary of the heart. The oasis is not just a physical source of water but also a metaphor for inner solace, representing belonging and serenity.

The natural wood grain and carved contrasts between deep cuts and soft curves depict the movement of wind-swept sands and gentle ripples of water, highlighting the tension between harshness and tenderness. The undulating dunes reflect life’s struggles, while the stillness of the oasis embodies the deep longing for peace. In this transient world, the oasis stands as a timeless symbol of the human quest for sanctuary—a place where the soul can finally rest.

This wooden relief carving centers on dunes, capturing the fleeting transformation shaped by the wind. As the dunes shift and reform, they leave behind delicate, transient patterns—echoing the passage of time and the traces left by human existence. Grains of sand are lifted, carried, and reshaped, forming undulating curves that resemble the paths of life—real yet inevitably fading.

The interplay between the wood’s natural grain and the carved patterns mimics the fine ripples etched by the wind. The rolling dunes symbolize the impermanence of the world, while the ephemeral lines hint at the marks we leave behind—soon to be erased, yet undeniably present.

We are but dust in the wind, yet our traces remain, however briefly.