Phil White Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 Hi all, I just finished the sculpture below as a retirement gift for a man who dedicated the last 37 years to designing and carving stone sculpture for the Canadian Parliament Buildings, (which has been ongoing since 1917). He became the "Dominion Sculptor" in 1993, sort of like Canada's official sculptor, and just recently retired. The sculpture is a variation on the "self-made man" theme, which usually depicts a carver freeing, or creating himself, from a block of stone. In this piece, he is also in the process of carving the top of the Peace Tower, which is the central feature of the Parliament Buildings, and is creating himself in the process. It was carved from a block of Indiana limestone, with traditional hand tools only, and is about 12" high. The base is white ash, stained to match the woodwork in the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Bonham Posted June 25, 2007 Report Share Posted June 25, 2007 HI Phil, A beautiful sculpture and very touching tribute. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Obach Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 sweet work!! wow wow Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastián Urresti Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi Phil, What a beautiful and precise homage. Thanks for sharing the images. Hughs, Sebas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Thank you for sharing with us this thoughtful tribute to your fellow sculptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil White Posted June 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Thank you all for your kind comments. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Carvalho Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Aloha Phil, I could leave you with descriptives, but I want to tell you how it makes me feel. I'm a working stiff; I feel my toes bunching up in my right boot. I feel the weight of the mallet in my hand and the chisel biting with each tap. I am concentrating on that point right in front of me. My knee aches. Good job. KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Strom Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Beautiful work and great sensitivity not only to the man but to the materials. Just can't imagine working in stone on such a small scale. I am constantly inspired by the work I see here. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnus homestead Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hello Phil, I'll have to go with Karl and Mark's comments. Thank you for the fine work. Blessings, Magnus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Sanders Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 What a wonderful retirement gift! I've just moved to Indiana limestone country and I can vounch that there's still a lot of it waiting to be carved- Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ford hallam Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Hi Phil, Great piece of work, and as others have already said, a lovely tribute. So, are we to gather that you are now a "chip off the old block"? ...and are you training someone who will be up to the task of making a similar tribute to you one day? I hope so. Namaste, Ford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil White Posted June 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 I thought this would resonate with the carvers here. I actually took over the position officially last year, but he stayed on in a mentoring role. At the moment, I am working alone, but hopefully the future will allow for some assistance in the form of an apprentice. Thanks to all of you for your comments. I really appreciate your thoughts. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Carvalho Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Aloha Phil, So is your mentor Maurice Joanisse?, who assumed the title from Eleanor Milne. If so, who is the next Dominion/Federal Sculptor? Is the Parliament project a Carlos Ventin endevor? Karl addendum: I meant to mention this item, Hindu Stone Temple, but got distracted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ruslander Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 What a fine gesture. Very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil White Posted July 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Thanks Mike, and welcome to the forum. Hi Karl, Very clever! Maurice was the subject of this sculpture. He took over the position of Dominion Sculptor in 1993, when Eleanor retired. The title changed somewhere in the mid-nineties to Federal Government Sculptor, but most people seem to use the old name. Eleanor is still active, doing private commissions, and is now in her early eighties. She is a great lady, and quite a character. When Maurice decided to retire, they held a national competition to fill the position of Federal Sculptor, and strangely enough, I won. I took over the position about a year and a half ago, and Maurice stepped down, but continued working as a carver, and a mentor. Carlos Ventin was involved with the restoration of the Ontario Provincial Parliament in Toronto, but not with the national Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. (which is also in the province of Ontario) The Parliament Buildings (there are 5) in Ottawa were built in the mid to late 19th century, in the Gothic Revival style. In 1916, fire destroyed the central building, and it was re-built over the next 20 years or so. When it was built, the architect left about 3,000 uncarved blocks sticking out of the walls, for future generations of carvers and sculptors. He left no specific designs for any of the pieces, and the work is still unfinished, with about 20 years work remaining. The House of Commons has an excellent website that describes the carvings and sculptures in detail, with good photos: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Sites/Collections//index-e.htm The section on "Heritage Spaces" describes the architectural stone sculpture, the section on "Decorative Arts" describes the wood carvings and decorative ironwork, and the section on "Fine Arts" gets into the more moveable artworks. Also, the links have a lot of info on the history of the buildings, etc. It is well worth a look, and has something in it for everyone, whether you are into wood, metal, or stone. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Lepine Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Impressive work! Serious shoes to fill for you! Its great to know who's carving parliament these days!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 I agree with you Nelson. The Carving Path forum is quite fortunate to have Phil, with his broad experience, skills and talent as a contributing member. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil White Posted March 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 Gee, thanks very much! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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