Using Chainsaw, Skilled Artist Transforms A Damaged Tree Into A Hand Reaching For The Sky

Almost every material imaginable can be transformed into a work of art, but it would take skill to do so. This chainsaw artist from Wrexham is one of those talented people who can turn wood—his chosen medium—into anything he wants it to be.

Scaffolding was erected around the "blank canvas" tree trunk last month and the project took a week to complete. "The Forestry Commission, who are looking after the area, decided that it would be a good idea to have a memorial to the tree and left a 50ft stem when they felled it," said Mr O'Rourke, who has called his work the Giant Hand of Vyrnwy. "They invited eight artists to tender for the job and I got it." He said the hand carving was in an area of the estate known as The Giants of Vyrnwy, and the location had inspired him.