Ian Bell

About the Work

Seedling, 2023
coastal banksia

This piece is inspired by a David Attenborough documentary showing tree seedlings racing to fill a canopy gap. Ian has used Coastal banksia which grows the same way. He band-saws the bulk before shaping it with smaller power tools. An area is left exposed to display the life once lived and the painted area is intricately carved.

About Ian Bell

Ian lives and works in Minnamurra on the NSW South Coast. The wood he uses is often windfallen or trees removed by council, dried at a steady 22 degrees which can take years. Ian aims for an organic feel in his sculptures, combining balance and aesthetic appeal. A career highlight was a commission to make a piece for the King and Queen of Spain.

Image top: Ian Bell, Seedling, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of the Artist