Thread: Huon pine seed pod WIP

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

The oldest know bristlecone pines are 7,000yrs+.
What's even older are clone populations of some poplars (similar to cottonwoods).
14C dating suggests the dead core of the ring of trees (800m across) is 10,000 or older.

Originally Posted by AlexS

Oh yeah? We'll find a huon pine thats 7500 y.o. then.

From Wikipedia

A stand of trees reputed to be in excess of 10,500 years in age was recently found in Western Tasmania on Mount Read. Each of the trees in this stand is a genetically identical male that has reproduced vegetatively. Although no single tree in this stand is of that age, the stand itself as a single organism has existed that long.[5]

Told ya.

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

For absolute plant age, I think you are looking in the wrong direction.
Your oldest veg will be somewhere in the back of beyond by a waterhole which has not dried up for 40,000 years.

We don't have too many of those, but at a couple, we have ancient types of vegetation, but not individual trees. Examples are cycads at Simpsons Gap and the Wollemi Pine.

Don't look to Tasmania as I recall it was at least partially glaciated. Yes?

Yes.

Coincidentally, I've just ordered some Huon pine for an upcoming job. It was originally cut in the '50s, but held up in a huge log jam until 2007.

Firstly that is a beautiful carving!!!

Secondly, when lake Pedder was floode, thanks to "Ëlectric Eric", Alll the standing Huon in the zone to be flooded was felled.

This led to an "over supply" of Huon. IRRC there was no attempt to regenerate Huon a round the edges of the enlarged lake.
I don't even know if there has been any attempt to germinate, plant and grow Huon.

Originally Posted by springwater

What's your thoughts behind making biomorphic shapes Josh?

It's something I've always been attracted to both as an artist and a viewer.

As an artist I find they have limitless creative freedom. You might start by carving a shell and then think, "this would look cool with a tail and feet," so you add some. You're not restricting yourself to some preconceived notion that this object must be "this" or look like "that." What I end up with is usually far removed from my initial ideas (this could be why it takes me so long! ) I won't go so far as to say the wood speaks to me, but if I find I'm stuck with a piece I will often just sit there turning it over in my hands until inspiration strikes. It's quite meditative.

As a viewer I enjoy attempting to imagine the origin of the object. What creature or plant gave rise to such a curious/ quirky/ nightmarish form.

Unfortunately these notions did not carry enough weight to allow me to pursue them when studying art but as I don't have to satisfy any lecturers I can just enjoy the process.

I'm not sure if that answered your question......

Originally Posted by Woodturnerjosh

It's something I've always been attracted to both as an artist and a viewer.

As an artist I find they have limitless creative freedom. You might start by carving a shell and then think, "this would look cool with a tail and feet," so you add some. You're not restricting yourself to some preconceived notion that this object must be "this" or look like "that." What I end up with is usually far removed from my initial ideas (this could be why it takes me so long! ) I won't go so far as to say the wood speaks to me, but if I find I'm stuck with a piece I will often just sit there turning it over in my hands until inspiration strikes. It's quite meditative.

As a viewer I enjoy attempting to imagine the origin of the object. What creature or plant gave rise to such a curious/ quirky/ nightmarish form.

Unfortunately these notions did not carry enough weight to allow me to pursue them when studying art but as I don't have to satisfy any lecturers I can just enjoy the process.

I'm not sure if that answered your question......

Hang it's on dinner time

Sorry Josh, I thought it better to respond to the second call of "it's going cold".

I was just interested in your thoughts which I thought refreshing in there unrestricted approach to developing an idea which I hope you have many more of.

Josh I came across this blokes work today and thought it may interest you in some way.
Henrique Oliveira - Site do Artista Henrique Oliveira - www.HenriqueOliveira.com
Sorry about my previous response, just couldn't get any words out as sufficiently as I'd like

Wow that is some impressive work! Thanks for that.
It's amazing what sort of work is out there that you never hear about. Not being in art school makes it hard to keep abreast of these things

p.s. I didn't read anything in your post that warrants an apology!

Wow springwater that's interesting, unusual work he does